Boxing super body pushed

The creation of a Philippine Boxing Authority, a body that would effectively supervise and govern the sport in the country, and probably help prevent future ring tragedies involving local boxers, is in the offing.

And one area that urgently needs to be regulated, according to those pushing for its creation, is the licensing of professional boxers. The PBA intends to do the screening of all boxers before these "poor, hungry aspirants are granted a professional license."

A study of local bouts mostly involving groping newcomers, would bare that the Games and Amusements Board has been issuing professional licenses to aspirants who don’t have the sound, necessary boxing basics.

Behind the move to create the boxing body to be placed directly under the GAB is sports columnist Recah Trinidad, also a boxing analyst. The move has drawn support from prominent sports personalities like Cebu businessman-sportsman Tony Aldeguer, noted boxing promoter Jun Sarreal and Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad.

The study has been forwarded to President Macapagal-Arroyo through Dante Ang, presidential adviser on media affairs. It was prompted by the recent death of boxer Meruel Sayas who, after a two-year layoff, was allowed to fight in a 10-rounder and against an "awfully superior" opponent in Alex Escaner, a third-ranked Philippine contender.

Sayas was knocked out and died hours later due to brain damage. Trininad said Sayas’ license should have been automatically suspended following a year-long layoff.

"The story of Philippine boxing is a long-running tragedy. (It) has remained a willing host to a series of tragedies, mainly ring deaths, because the sport has no responsible body to govern and guide it," Trinidad said in their proposal letter adressed to the President.

The PBA’s creation, once approved by the President, would be a "noble gesture that should go a long way not only in enhancing our chances of winning more world titles but also provide safety and dignity to the sport and its practitioners."

But in order to come up with a new system under the PBA, all boxing bodies must be informed and subsequently unified under a governing national agency.

Under the proposal, boxing promoters, managers, trainers, referees, stable owners, matchmakers must be required to form their respective bodies that will not only undergo regular evaluation by a national governing body, but also be regularly be assessed of their duties and responsibilities.