GAB begs for poor boxers
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Apr 2020
GAB Chairman Abraham Mitra.
IN marking his 54th year as a successful promoter, matchmaker cum laude Bob Arum noted the sad fate of boxers who have not earned and saved enough while caught in the crippling grip of the coronavirus pandemic.
“You have to look at the losses in these young men’s careers, they’re not being able to pursue their activities,” Arum, 88, stated.
He said he hopes they’re capable of staging events, but does not “know when this will be over.”
**
Major world events have been put on hold, including the April 25 unification fight of Filipino Johnriel Casimero, the WBO bantamweight title holder, against unbeaten Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue, the IBF and WBA champion.
Casimero has expressed desire to leave training in Las Vegas and return to the Philippines, saying there’s nothing certain when his bout with Inoue would take place. He said he’s threatened by the virus infection that continued to surge in the USA.
Here in Manila, there’s uncertainty and pockets of restive crowds demanding help from government following the lockdown in Luzon and movement restrictions in other areas.
**
Big sporting events, topped by the professional Philippine Boxing Association, have been put on hold indefinitely.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has assured staffers, technicians and others affected PBA personnel of assistance during the lockout.
As the height of uncertainty, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), regulatory body of professional sports in the Philippines, announced it has notified government agencies about the fate of boxers, martial arts practitioners, who have been rendered without work due to the coronavirus pandemic.
**
GAB chairman Abraham Mitra said his agency has submitted a list of 1,133 affected boxers, martial arts fighters, including trainers and matchmakers, to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
GAB hopes the affected personnel would similarly get assistance through the Social Amelioration Program.
“These individuals are unable to exercise their profession due to the imposed community quarantine,” the GAB stated.
The GAB operates directly under the Office of the President.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 09 May 2026Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 09 May 2026Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
Sat, 09 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 08 May 2026Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 08 May 2026IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
Fri, 08 May 2026Laurente to promote amateur boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 08 May 2026Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
Fri, 08 May 2026Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
Fri, 08 May 2026