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James Ray Pope is a cockfighter, a breeder, a conditioner
and a gaffer. But not an ordinary one at that.
Even Fred Canumay himself, an expert breeder in his own right, issued a
warning,"Hindi puwedeng biruin si Pope." What he meant, of course, was
that Pope is a tough cockfighter to contend with.
Beat this-- Pope garnered a total of 11 wins with just 4 losses all in
one day! Amazing, especially for a foreigner who hasn't been that long in
our country.
This 56-year-old American from Texas first arrived in the Philippines
last May,1996 as a guest of Mauro Prieto and Iking Araneta. He didn't
really come here to bet in the cockfighting arena. But he made the most of
the visit. He meticulously observed and felt the Filipino way of cockfighting.
But it seems that he was really destined to dazzle the Philippine cock-
fighting scene. Before he left for Texas last year, he met Japanese cockfighter
Hajime Ogawa. Incidentally, the Japanese was scouting for an American breeder
to look after his farm. Pope accepted Ogawa's offer. Without hesitation. Pope
closed down his restaurant in Texas and came back to the Philippines in January,
1997, together with his wife, Joyce, who also had to resign from her job.
It didn't take long before he joined in with his cocks to the Second Showdown
8-Cock International Derby. He was hailed as the solo runner-up with a score of
7 wins and 1 loss in his Tomahawk entry.
After that victory, he became very busy tending his Tomahawk Game Farm in
Nagcarlan, Laguna. He also had all his cocks in Texas delivered to the Philippines.
His new-found partner, Ogawa, was to impressed and excited that he bought all
the cocks.
In the recently held Mr. Karambola '97 4-Cock Derby, the formidable Ogawa-and
Pope duo bagged 8 wins with just 3 losses in their three entries. One of their
entries finished Champion. And luck of all lucks, during the same day,
the duo also scored 3 wins and 1 loss in the Raul Bendana's derby in Los Banos.
Truth is, this American has alot of discipline in his body working for him.
Unlike any other foreign cockfighting enthusiasts who first have a good time as
soon as they arrive in the Philippines, Pope wouldn't even leave the cockhouse--
he was all focus on his cocks during fights. It seems he has already analyzed and
calculated the cockfighting style in the Philippines. And in the farm, he personally
tends to the cocks even when there are helpers around.
Many experts agree that Pope is a cautious and scientific cockfighter. He is very
meticulous with the kind and composition of his feeds, the measurement and form of
his flypens and the knife he uses, among others.
James Pope came, saw and conquered the arena. He brought his winged gladitators
and started winning. James Pope brought his feed formula and is sharing his secrets
of super health. James Pope-- breeder, gaffer, conditioner. James Pope, the complete
Cockfighter.
Reprint from PITGAMES (PHILIPPINE MAGAZINE) 1997 |
| Return to : Philippine Cockfight News Article Section |
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