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:
NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025