Last May in Colombia, Michael Cabato climbed through the ropes and entered a boxing ring for the first time as a professional.
His debut appeared anything but a rookie endeavour, ending two rounds into a scheduled four with Cabato’s opponent slumped in his corner and unable to continue.
Global prizefighting, you see, is in Michael Cabato’s blood.
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December 12, 1994.
Dumb and Dumber and Pulp Fiction top the box office, while Boyz II Men dominate the charts.
In northeastern Australia, Amado “Mad Dog” Cabato has just knocked out local favourite Darrell Hiles in the eighth round, claiming the IBO World Title — and setting in motion the wheels for the rest of his life.
The following year, he’ll trek to Canada for the first time to try and defend his title against nails-tough Canadian Billy Irwin; when all is said and done, he’ll drop a unanimous decision to Irwin, fight a total of three times in Canada and eventually settle in Brampton, Ontario.
Six years after that life-altering win over Hiles, Amado Cabato’s son — Michael — will be born a few kilometres from the Convention Centre where Amado and Irwin battled for the IBO’s crowning belt.
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“I decided to take the torch, and carry on that legacy,” says Michael, now 23 and the latest fighter contracted to Tyler Buxton’s United Boxing Promotions.
That legacy remains impressive a quarter-century after its last bell: 47-27-8 (23 KO). Two Filipino belts, and an IBO world title. Stopped just thrice in 82 contests.
But the second Cabato is on his way: A Canadian junior national champion in the amateur ranks, and a perfect 2-0 as a professional.
“My parents are from the Philippines, my dad was a Filipino champion who won the IBO belt in Australia (and) his brothers were boxers too,” explains Cabato. “There’s not many Filipino-Canadian boxers, and I’m representing them.”
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The talented young boxer has already had a taste of his Lightweight division’s upper echelon in training with established professionals.
“It’s a pretty competitive division with lots of talent,” admits Cabato, who is eager to fight on home turf. “I’ve been working with the Thonson brothers, Trevor and (WBA World No. 14) Chann. I’ve learned a lot from Chann, and both of them helped me grow as a fighter.”
While the Thonson brothers now fight outside the country, the division within Ontario is rife with talent — and there are plenty of established opponents who may become accessible to Cabato if he can score a few victories in 2023.
“I’ll face whatever is in front of me at this point, but hopefully down the line there will be an opportunity to make some of those fights,” he admits. “There’s a ton of talent and I can’t wait to get started.”
Michael Cabato’s Canadian debut is set for April 29th’s United Boxing Promotions event at the Pickering Casino Resort, against Mexico’s Jorge “Chapu” Diaz (3-1). For further details on tickets, VIP tables and more, contact [email protected].
Follow United Promotions on social media for the latest news, feature stories and fight night content.
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Ringside with Carlos is a bi-weekly column written by Carlos Verde, featuring reflections on Ontario boxing, fighter profiles and feature stories on those in the fight game.
