RECENTLY, the Games and Amusement Board issued a moratorium to all non-rated boxers fighting abroad.
In its October 5 memorandum order, GAB directed the Boxing and Other Contact Sports Division (BOCS) to review the existing Implementing Rules and Regulations in issuing Letter of Authority (LOA), as well as the matchmaking criteria for all non-rated Filipino boxers fighting abroad as the office will not process nor recommend and issue any LOA until October 31.
GAB added health, safety, and public welfare remain the board’s top priorities after taking a look at the Record Office’s statistics in the past five years where Filipino professional boxers participated in 302 bouts.
Out of the 302 fights, 81 percent or 143 of these boxers lost while only 42 won.
Despite the moratorium, GAB said it will still consult boxers, managers, promoters, matchmakers, and ring officials before the BOCS can come out with its recommendations from the consultations at the end of this month.
GAB said it will still process LOAs and papers for rated boxers fighting overseas whether in the 6,8,10 or 12 round-categories though the matchmakers and BOCS will construe that all the matched fighters shall have even stat in both their amateur and professional boxing records.
Up-and-coming boxers might see this moratorium as the curtailment of their right to earn a decent living since we know for a fact that fights abroad pay much better than competing elsewhere in the Philippines.
While boxers see it this way, the GAB memorandum is only one way of protecting them from shady promoters who shorthand their fighter’s purses.
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Fight fans following the ONE Warrior Series Philippines witnessed tons of drama and action in its third episode. The show saw three action-packed sparring showdowns and a shocking two-man elimination in the end.
In the end, Team Gravity lost another man Ely Fernandez while Team Passion dropped their first warrior Joker Oliveros three weeks into the competition.
Of all the three episodes, this one is certainly the most action-packed as it saw Team Gravity’s Joevincent So and Team Passion’s Joker Oliveros square off – two men who rubbed each other the wrong way throughout the show.
The match totally lived up to its hype as So and Oliveros both had their moments, but as the fight went on, it was So’s composure and Oliveros’ emotions that really stood out.
There was a moment where Oliveros was heard saying some unpleasant things to So which didn’t really sit well with the Team Lakay coaches. Before the sparring ended, So tagged Oliveros with a well-timed right hook which sent the Team Passion warrior down, albeit the bell saved him.
That late surge from So, coupled with Oliveros’ attitude was enough for the Team Lakay coaches to make the decision in sending him home.
