ANGRY BUHAIN CRACKS DOWN ON BOXING ANOMALIES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Oct 2007
An angry Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain is hell-bent in cracking down on anomalies in boxing in the wake of criticism over rampant mismatches and fighters continuing to sneak out of the country to fight abroad without official GAB approval.
In the latest incident Buhain said he had discovered that boxing judge Romy Yulo, a longtime associate of Lope ?Jun? Sarreal had accompanied boxer Rene Banares to the airport when he left for Bangkok along with Joan De Guia and Celso Danggod, two boxers of barangay chairman Victor Olanday of Alabang, Muntinlupa who were cleared to fight.
Banares who was not officially cleared by the GAB to fight veteran world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin was stopped in two rounds in a blatant mismatch. Ratanachai had a record of 71-9 with 47 knockouts while Banares, according to the GAB boxing division itself had a record of 12-14- 4 with only 3 knockouts. Besides, Banares is listed as a super flyweight (115 lbs) while Ratanachai is a super bantamweight (122 lbs).
Buhain discovered that Banares was a substitite for Ariel Delgado who fought and won in the main event of the weekly boxing show "In This Corner" last September 30 beating Edgar Gabejan in a bloody ten round super bantamweight battle.
On the other hand De Guia who had a record of 7-6-2 with no knockouts was knocked out in the third round by Sod Looknongyangtoy, a southpaw with a record of 32-2 with 13 knockouts in another mismatch. However, GAB boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz defended the clearance given De Guia by claiming he had met the requirement of winning two of his last five fights. However, Dr, Cruz clearly never took into consideration the quality and records of the fighters he beat and the boxers he lost to despite constant criticism of the obviously faulty system.
Buhain informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he had summoned Yulo to report to the GAB on October 18 and disclosed that De Guia and Celso Danggod had told him that Yulo accompanied Banares. The two fighters also revealed that ?they did not know Banares would go with them until they arrived at the airport.?
Buhain has threatened to suspend Banares from anywhere between two to five years and promised ?to tell the whole world? about the suspension which would effectively end his career. However, Buhain indicated that the only way Banares could clear himself of the mess is to reveal the truth about who arranged for his fight and how he fought in Thailand without GAB clearance.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026