Editor GAB Chairman Baham Mitra joins People’s Tonight sports editor Ed Andaya and other veteran journalists during the “Sports on Air Weekly” forum recently.

GAB sees better days ahead in pro boxing

January 28, 2022 Ed Andaya 683 views

BOXING hopes to deliver the knockout punch in the coming months with the staging of more professional fights all over the country.

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra welcomed the coming blockbuster boxing promotions as the sporting community takes another step to return to normalcy despite the continuing threat of the coronavirus.

“We expect that there would be many more boxing matches in the coming months, especially ngayong mas pinaiksi na ang quarantine period. Pero syempye ibayong pag-iingat pa din dapat,” said Mitra during the “Sports on Air Weekly” program via Zoom last Jan. 21.

“The PBA will restart with its Governor’s Cup next month. The PVL and PFF will also begin soon. So boxing will be back, too,” added Mitra.

The three-time lawmaker and chief executive ftom Palawan said one of these much-awaited fights is the rematch between reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world minimumweight champion Rene Mark “Mighty Mouse” Cuarto and Pedro Taduran on January 29 in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

The rematch between the two talented Filipino fighters is to settle the controversy that marred their first encounter in February 2021, where Cuarto won by unanimous decision.

Other notable promotions sanctioned by the GAB are:

February 5, General Santos under San Man Promotions.

February 12, Ilocos under Cucuy Elorde.

March 5, Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque under Cucuy Elorde.

Asked about the plight of the Filipino boxers in World Boxing Association (WBA) fights, Mitra assured that the government sports agency is on top of the situation.

“Alam naman ninyo ang problema ng mga boksingero natin tuwing pumupunta sila sa abroad para lumaban. Unang-una, lalayo sila sa pamilya nila. Ang kasama nila ay coach lang. Wala nang trainer at sidekick. Ang haba ng biyahe, hindi kumportable ang hotel at eroplano. May disadvantage na kaagad. Yung iba pa, walang dalang perang pambili sa pagkain at umaasa lang sa ibinibigay ng promoter. Pero ang pinakamasakit sa lahat, pagtapos ng laban, pauuwiin ka na hindi pa naibibigay ang premyo, katulad nangyari kay world champion Froilan Saludar na dating WBO at WBA champion,” recalled Mitra.

“Kung hindi pa tayo umalma at nag-ingay at kung hindi ninyo ako tinulungan at nilabas sa media ang uproar natin, baka hindi na sya nabarayan. Kaya yan ang isa sa mga panawagan natin sa mga matchmakers,” he added.

“Anyway, we found out it was a WBA-sanctioned world championship bout at merong supervisor who should take care of the purse and officiating. Ang nangyari, tapos na ang laban at naka-uwi na dito bago nai-release ang pera.”

“Kaya sumulat tayo sa head ng WBA championships committee, pati sa supervisor. Pero hindi sila sumasagot. Dapat talaga makipag-usap sila at i-recognize ang GAB dahil yan ang trabaho natin.

Yung tiyakin ang welfare ng mga professional athletes natin.”

Mitra said the GAB plans to talk to the WBA officials before allowing Filipino boxers to fight.

“Siguro dapat bago lumabas, makausap muna natin ang mga WBA officials kasi hindi nga sila sumasagot pag nagkaka-problema na. Nagre-reklamo kami, hindi ina-aksyunan. Kailangan talaga bigyan proteksyon ang mga boksingero natin. Ibang klase ginawa nila. Una, puro taga roon ang mga judges. Pangalawa, dapat bago mag-umpisa ang laban, bayad na. Malungkot na pa-uwi na yun tao, hindi pa rin nila nababayaran. Yun ang ayaw nating payagan sa GAB.” with reports from Gab Ferreras

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