GAB calls for probe into controversial Bogo fight

(Promoter dismayed over incident; ring physician airs side)

CEBU, Philippines —  The Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the governing body of all professional sports in the country, will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumtances behind the last minute cancellation of the boxing match  between the undefeated super featherweight prospect Criztian Pitt “Golden Boy” Laurente of General Santos City and Vicente Casido of Dumaguete City over the weekend.

Laurente and Casido were supposed to slug it out in the main event of #BangonCebu card of Gerrypens Promotions last Saturday, February 5, behind closed doors at the Don Celestino Martinez Sr. Sports and Cultural Center in Bogo City, north of Cebu.

The bout, however, was called off at the eleventh hour when the GAB-accredited ring physician Dr. Jose Unabia declared the 22-year-old Laurente “unfit to fight” after finding something ‘suspect’ in one of the boxer’s medical scans.

Former two-division world champion Gerry Peñalosa, the event’s promoter, was disgruntled by Unabia’s decision.

“The boxer (Laurente) was already warming up and ready to enter the ring, why cancel it right there and then,” said Peñalosa, who once held court in the WBC super flyweight and WBO bantamweight division. “Besides, we all have the necessary documents and clearance from the GAB office in Manila for Laurente to fight that is why I really can’t understand the reason behind his (Unabia) sudden decision.”

“It’s very disappointing not only to me as the promoter but also on the part of the boxers. This event has been postponed several times but I moved heaven and earth just to make it happen because I want to provide a little source of income for our fighters during these hard times. The boxers themselves have already sacrificed a lot and now this? I really pity and feel sad for them,” Peñalosa lamented.

In a last ditch effort to salvage the bout, Peñalosa said GAB chairman Baham Mitra and the agency’s medical division chief Dr. Redentor Viernes even called Unabia to advise the longtime GAB-Cebu physician to go on with the Laurente-Casido duel.

But Unabia stood pat on his decision.

“When I go over the medical records of Laurente that they submitted to me, there’s something suspect specifically in the boxer’s ECG (electrocardiogram) result. I need a second opinion of a specialist, which is not readily available at that time, that is why I cannot allow the fight to proceed,” Unabia reasoned out.

“I cannot compromise the life of the boxer and my profession as well. I’m here not to entertain people but to look after the welfare and safeguard the life of the boxers. That’s what I do,” Unabia continued.

In the wake of Unabia’s controversial decision, Mitra said they will launch an extensive probe to determine what really happened and take action from it.

“Due to the decision of the ring physician, Dr. Jose Unabia, based on his medical opinion on the ECG result and Physical Examination conducted upon Mr. Pitt Laurente, said boxer’s bout has been cancelled,” Mitra said in an official statement.

“GAB is going to conduct an inquiry as to this incident, as we have done in the past, when ring officials, including ring physicians, call for a stoppage or for not allowing a boxer to fight. We assure everyone that this inquiry is intended to further enrich and strengthen GAB’s system in accrediting ring physicians,” Mitra added.

Peñalosa said he will wait first for the outcome of GAB’s investigation before plotting his next move.

“I’ll make sure that those who have been remiss in performing their duty will be held accountable,” said Peñalosa. “But I’ll wait first for the result of GAB’s investagion. From there, I’ll explore all my options including legal action, if necessary.”