NOTES FROM SUZHOU
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Oct 2015
SUZHOU, JIANGSU, CHINA - The build-up of professional boxing here in China continues in a city that traces its origins to 514B.C.
Suzhou is around a hundred kilometers away from Shanghai. The afternoon traffic and an unexpected turn made the car trip last for five hours. But the local cuisine waiting for us made the trip worthwhile.
Suzhou has its own unique culinary culture. For the first time visitor, I would suggest the steamed fresh water crabs.
A boxing show from Mr. Liu Ding Wei, featuring fighters from the China Professional Boxing Club Association (CBCA), was set October 17 at the Dushu Lake Gym.
Part of the effort of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the Professional Boxing Commission (PBC) of China to support boxing here in China is to conduct regular seminars for aspiring referees and judges.
WBO VP for Asia Pacific Leon Panoncillo together with International Referee Atty. Danrex Tapdasan, PBC Executive Director Samson Iu and PBC Executive Secretary Maggie Wei Na did the seminar and lecture for Chinese officials.
Aside from the review of professional rules and scoring, Atty. Tapdasan emphasized in his lecture the referee?s job which is to protect the safety and health of the boxer; A good referee should also be very knowledgeable about the rules , know how and when to enforce them and maintain good control of the fight.
I had a chance to share my knowledge as a ring physician and stress the importance of communication between a referee and the ring doctor. Aside from giving a brief criteria about when to stop or continue a boxing match, I gave the aspiring referees a summary of the danger signs they should look out for when a boxer is suffering from a concussion or at risk of having a life-threatening injury.
The participants got their certificates at the end of the session.
The venue of the seminar also gave a glimpse of the city?s old gardens and architecture. Another interesting place to visit is the Suzhou Industrial Park along the shores of the Jinji Lake.
During the rules meeting at the end of the official weigh-in held last Friday, Mr. Panoncillo, who is a former trainer, also conducted a hand wrapping demonstration and instruction for the trainers, boxers and dressing room inspectors.
This was all part of the PBC?s effort to teach the participants of the fight game so that the sport of boxing in China will continue to grow and will be operated in a fair and professional manner.
Top photo: WBO Asia Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo with Mr. Liu Ding Wei holding the WBO China National champion belt set to be disputed by Xia Shunkai of China and Falani Tavu?i of Samoa on October 17 and the participants of the referee and judges seminar held in Suzhou.
L - R: WBO VP for Asia Pacific Leon Panoncillo, PBC Executive Secretary Maggie Wei Na, International Referee Atty. Danrex Tapdasan, PBC Executive Director Samson Iu during the seminar.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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