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:
O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 30 May 2026WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz
Sat, 30 May 2026FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
Sat, 30 May 2026AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
Sat, 30 May 2026Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 May 2026‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
Sat, 30 May 2026Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
Sat, 30 May 2026Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 May 2026Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 30 May 2026“While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
Sat, 30 May 2026MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
Sat, 30 May 2026Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 May 2026UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
Fri, 29 May 202620 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams
Fri, 29 May 2026RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo
Fri, 29 May 2026