
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:
Tickets on Sale Now for Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ on Sept 4 – Live on TNT and DAZN
Sat, 18 Jul 2026Golden Boy Promotions and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Reach Settlement, Focus on Biggest Fights Ahead
Sat, 18 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against World No 3 Puerto Rico, Split Doubleheader in Lima
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Jul 2026"Pipino" Cuevas: 50 Years as Mexico's Youngest World Champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Jul 2026IBA Secretary General & CEO, Chris Roberts OBE: Regulation is how IBA pave the way forward for Bare-Knuckle Boxing
Fri, 17 Jul 2026EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PACHECO VS. ALEEM IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA
Fri, 17 Jul 2026WBO Youth Champion Esteban Garson Signs Agreement with Tuto Zabala Jr.'s All Star Boxing, Inc.
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Wheels and Waves 2026 at August 8 & 9 in Samal
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Jul 2026FM Rico Salimbagat leads IIEE Chessmasters team in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Jul 2026MCGIRT: WE HAVEN’T SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF PACHECO’S TALENT
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Tickets Are Now on Sale & Special Guests Confirmed for 10th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Puma Half Marathon kicks off July 19
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Jul 2026Asian Youth Chess in China
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Jul 2026NONSTOP ACTION ADDED TO ROACH VS. ZEPEDA WITH STACKED UNDERCARD
Thu, 16 Jul 2026Heavyweight Dainier Pero Looks to Continue His Climb Against Aleem Whitfield Live on ESPN
Thu, 16 Jul 2026