GAB FAILS TO RESPOND TO PROMOTER'S REQUEST FOR A PROBE ON HOW HIS SUSPENDED BOXER WAS ABLE TO FIGHT IN THAILAND
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Mar 2015
Games anbd Amusements Board chairman Ramon "Monju" Guazon has inexplicably failed to respond to well known promoter/manager Dante Almario's request for ?a full blown investigation? into how his boxer Angelito Merin who was on a 90 days medical suspension by the GAB was able to fight against Norasing Kokietgym in Thailand last February 14 after he suffered a 9th round TKO to Danilo Gabisay last December 13.
Almario said he had received no response from the GAB even as he wondered what was going on with the agency mandated to control and supervise professional boxing.
Almario claimed his fighter, who lost a six round unanimous decision to the Thai, fought on the undercard of the WBO Oriental light flyweight title fight between Lionel Legarda and Thailand?s Paipharob Kokietgym while another Filipino boxer identified as Joan Imperial also fought on the same card.
Almario disclosed that his contacts in Thailand told him that Merin carried the ring name ?Kirino? although boxrec.com reported the fight and indicated Merin used his real name Chapito Rivera who was listed as making his pro debut.
Almario claimed that the corner-men of Legada and Imperial also acted as his fighter?s corner-men.
The manager/promoter said it was another unauthorized fight which is a problem that has continuously plagued our boxing industry in the past years and is still very prevalent.?
Almario recalled that he had brought up the issue during the GAB Convention last year and appealed that this be investigated and stopped but that ?one year has passed since the convention but the illegal fights in other countries is getting worse and our boxers are the victims.?
Almario suggested that chairman Guanzon summon Merin and the persons who accompanied Legada and Imperial ?to shed light on how they ended up in that one show.?
The latest scandal involving a fighter sneaking out of the country to fight in Thailand without proper clearance comes in the midst of Guanzon?s threat to get a hold-departure order (which he later denied) to stop Olympic hopefuls Mark Anthony Barriga and Charly Suarez from going abroad to compete in an international governing body (AIBA) tournament which is considered an 2016 Olympic Games qualifier.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
UNIFIED WORLD CHAMPION OSCAR COLLAZO HOSTS MEDIA WORKOUT
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Jerwin Ancajas Set for IBF Mandatory Eliminator Against Former World Champ Ryosuke Nishida; Winner Fights Naoya Inoue
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 11 Sep 2025“Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Local Favorite Bryce Mills Tops First Boxing Card At del Lago Resort & Casino
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: It´s Fightweek Fight: Canelo vs. Crawford
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Casimero comeback next month in Kyrgyzstan?
By Nick Giongco, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Team USA Concludes Day Six of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Andrade, Garras rule Milo marathon in Tagum
Wed, 10 Sep 2025CROCKER-DONOVAN II: INSIDE LOOK AT FIRST FACE-OFF IN BELFAST
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Former Panamanian WBA champ Jorge Lujan hospitalized
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Southern Sports Heroes Night on Sept. 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025