GAB RESPONDS TO DE LA VEGA REGARDING BOXER'S DENTAL HEALTH
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 09 Feb 2019
The Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Philippines' regulatory agency for professional sports, has responded to Dr. Ed de la Vega's criticism of the agency's lack of concern for Filipino boxers' dental health, especially those who are cleared to fight outside of the country.
De La Vega, a prominent Filipino-American dentist who specializes in cosmetic and sports dentistry based in Canoga Park, California who once was a member of the California State Board of Dental Examiners and who also writes for Philboxing.com, wrote a scathing article last Wednesday putting the GAB to task for sending boxers abroad with badly damaged teeth.
"From my humble point of view, dental problems should never be an issue for the fighters slated to fight abroad. To assure this, the problem(s) must be addressed before boxers are allowed to leave the country. It is the GAB?s responsibility to see to it that is done," De La Vega wrote.
In an unsigned letter sent to Philboxing from the office of GAB chairman Abraham Mitra, the agency said "We will consider discussing Dental/Oral Hygience in connection with our Mouth Guard lecture in our rounds of Gym inspection and to emphasize this in all other Professional Sports as well."
Currently GAB require boxers who fight abroad to have ECG, Chest X-Ray, Drug test, Hepatitis B and CT Scan. The agency, under the present administration, has a widely applauded memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct these examinations to Filipino boxers free of charge.
The agency says it will only require boxers a dental clearance if mandated by the world boxing organizations. "Should these World Boxing Bodies or Commissions require our Boxers to have a Dental Clearance we will ask DOH for its inclusion in our MOA," GAB said in the letter.
De La Vega, on the other hand, believes that dental health is a serious issue. ?I believe that GAB should look far beyond their primary focus ... They must also focus on little things that can suddenly become a big issue and can cancel a fight or God forbid, lead to a loss of life like in the case of Pancho Villa.?
Below is GAB's letter in full.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Doors open for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 24 Feb 2026ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Feb 2026San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Tue, 24 Feb 2026125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
Mon, 23 Feb 2026