BANARES FOUGHT IN THAILAND WITHOUT GAB APPROVAL
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 24 Sep 2007
Rene Banares fought who was knocked out in the second round of a scheduled six round bout against former world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin fought in Thailand without approval from the Games and Amusements Board.
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today raised the issue of continuing mismatches in Thailand prompting boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz to respond by saying that Banares “did not get any permission to fight abroad.”
Cruz said they will summon the people concerned to report to the GAB on how and why he fought in Thailand without the necessary approval.
The boxing division chief said that according to the records of the GAB, Banares had 12 wins, 14 losses and 4 draws with 5 knockouts while his opponent, 30 year old veteran Ratanachai Sor Vorapin had a record of 71-9 wuth 47 knockouts clearly indicating the fight was a mismatch.
However, Cruz said super bantamweight Joan De Guia who had a record of 7-6-2 with 0 knockouts was cleared to fight Thai southpaw Sod Looknongyangtoy who had a record of 32-2 with 13 knockouts. As expected Der Guia was knocked out in the third round by Sod who had previously beaten 21 Filipino boxers.
Cruz claimed the fight was approved because De Guia had won two of his last five fights which is the GAB requirement before a boxer is allowed to fight abroad, completely ignoring the stature and the record of the opponent nor considering who the Filipino had beaten or lost to.
The only fighter who lasted the distance was Celso Danggod who dropped a unanimous twelve round decision in a Pan Asia Boxing Association super flyweight title fight against southpaw Duangpetch Sanegmorakot who had a record of 35-1-1 with 15 knockouts.
Dr. Cruz said Alabang, Muntinlupa barangay chairman Victor Olanday was responsible for sending Danggod and De Guia to Thailand but he hedged in naming the matchmaker for Banares, only referring to him as “the guy who was the matchmaker.” Dr. Cruz disclosed that Banares would be suspended but gave no idea what action would be taken against the matchmaker.
The GAB official said that Banares had visited the GAB “several weeks ago asking for his record and when he got the report that he would not be allowed to fight outside the Philippines the matchmaker for his fight probably pursued it.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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