Sarreal admits coddling champ

International matchmaker Lope (Jun) Sarreal, Jr. yesterday confessed he has taken Philippine flyweight boxing champion Edgar Rodrigo under his wing but denied luring the fighter out of Mira Murayama’s stable.

Sarreal said Rodrigo complained he was being shortchanged by Murayama and sought his advice on how to disengage from their contract. Rodrigo is set to file a formal advice to the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), opting out of the contract with Murayama.

Sarreal said Rodrigo knocked on his door after the fighter wrested the Philippine title from Z Gorres on a ninth round stoppage in Makati last June. He later met with Murayama’s husband Yuki, a Japanese freelance photojournalist, to settle the problem.

"I offered to help Rodrigo pay Yuki what he owes," said Sarreal. "I never offered to buy out his contract. It’s not my style to lure a fighter out of a contract. Ask Gerry Peñalosa. He called me over a hundred times asking if I could take over his contract after he left Tony (Aldeguer) but I didn’t want to get involved."

If Rodrigo files his complaint, the GAB will institute hearings to decide the merits of the case. While the hearings are in progress, Rodrigo will be allowed to fight provided a third of his purse is held in escrow by the GAB for Murayama.

Sarreal said since Rodrigo has not fought since June, he plans to arrange a non-title bout as a warmup before a rematch with Gorres. Rodrigo turned down an optional defense against Sukarno Banham for P30,000 because he considered the purse too low.

Sarreal said he is proposing to stage the Rodrigo-Gorres rematch in Bataan. As for the GAB’s unwritten policy frowning on an immediate rematch in a title defense, Sarreal said there is no such ruling.

Gorres’ manager Rudy Salud, meanwhile, warned Sarreal that he could be liable for tampering. The lawyer told Sarreal yesterday even if Rodrigo initiated the move to seek hishelp, the fact that he entertained the fighter means he is as culpable.

Salud said promoter Ramon (Moy) Lainez has written the GAB to confirm he is exercising his option on Rodrigo for a Gorres rematch on Dec. 13 in Subic.

"Gorres has won twice by knockout since losing to Rodrigo," said Salud. "He is the GAB’s No. 1 contender. I am increasing Rodrigo’s purse in the option clause from P50,000 to P60,000. There is a worthy challenger and a willing promoter so I don’t see any reason why the GAB won’t sanction the rematch since Rodrigo is obliged to make a defense six months after winning the title."

Salud said Sarreal is out of line in suggesting to hold the rematch in Bataan. "The option clause means Moy, not Jun, has the right to promote Rodrigo’s first defense," explained Salud. "It’s up to Moy where he wants to stage the promotion. Rodrigo has only himself to blame for his inactivity. He had an offer to fight but turned it down. An interim non-title fight is out of the question."

Salud said Rodrigo and his advisers should stop trying to fool him by appealing for a non-title fight and proposing to hold the rematch in Bataan.

"Tampering is punishable in court," said Salud. "I’ve been in the boxing business a long time. We should stop pulling each other’s leg. The GAB should step in and decide once and for all what is fair and just."