BOXER REVEALS ILLEGAL PRACTICE BY THAIS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 13 Apr 2007
A Filipino boxer who sneaked out of the country to engage in mismatches in Thailand without the proper clearance from the Games and Amusements Board says the Thais engage in the illegal practice of putting white cement on the hand wrappings of Thai fighters.
Known as "Plaster of Paris" which is used in making casts on injured feet or arms, the substance hardens when its wet adding power to a fighter’s punches. The boxer who used the name Boy Marco but is believed to be minimum weight Michael Rodriguez told ABS-CBN “that’s why their punches are really hard even with gloves.”
The boxer alleged that the Thais were “mad at Lito Sisnorio after he snatched the WBC Youth title” from world-ranked and undefeated Fahpetchnoi and when Sisnorio fought reigning world champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in January he may have been badly hit on the head. Despite a fourth round stoppage Sisnorio fought former world champion Chatchai Sasakul last March 30 and was knocked out in the fourth round. Hours later he died after undergoing brain surgery.
Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach, prior to Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao’s battle with Marco Antonio Barrera in November 2003 said Barrera’s handlers did the same thing and after Roach raised a howl it was prevented.
Internationally respected referee Bruce Mc Tavish of New Zealand who has lived in the Philippines for over 40 years said he has always advocated that fighters put on their gloves only after they enter the ring so the referee and the handlers of the opponent can check the hand wrapping but regrettably the old practice has been discontinued apparently because of the demands of television time.
Mc Tavish who has always advocated safety measures to protect fighters also advocated that instructions to the boxers be given by the referee the day before the fight so the boxers can concentrate when they enter the ring. Mc Tavish said he did this in the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios fight in Manila last July and both fighters appreciated it. He said referees apparently want to appear on TV and try to look good and authoritative when giving instructions the day before would help the boxers as well as the referee.
Mc Tavish said that Luis Escalon, Medical & Safety chairman of the WBC has endorsed his suggestions about the gloves and the referee’s instructions.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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