Mobile Home | Desktop Version




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:

  • Floyd Mayweather Jr files $175 million lawsuit against former associates and advisors
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Christian Mbilli will defend his WBC super middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 12 in Saudi Arabia!
    Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Toro Promotions’ Trio victorious in Mexico
    Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Team USA Continues Dominant Run with 7-0 Performance on Day Six In Colombia
    Sun, 24 May 2026
  • The Punisher Ultramarathon in Samal on May 30-31
    Sun, 24 May 2026
  • Paciones fights Laspoña tomorrow at Elorde gym
    By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 May 2026
  • STATEMENT MADE! AMARI “THE REAPER” JONES DEFEATS VINCENZO “IL CAPO” GUALTIERI IN IBF MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR
    Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Castillano stops Rosales in 1st round
    By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 May 2026
  • ProBoxTV Goes Global This Saturday with Two Action-Packed International Events Broadcast Live on One Sensational Saturday
    Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Oleksandr Usyk Returns Against Unknown Boxer on RING/DAZN PPV
    By Chris Carlson, Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Ayala Lardizabal stops Mama as IBA PRO 18 delivers dramatic night in Mexico City
    Sat, 23 May 2026
  • MF PRO Launches U.S. Boxing Debut with “Pugilist Revolution” Featuring "H2O" Sylve vs. Joseph “JoJo” Diaz in Southern California Showdown
    Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Dela Cerna fights Lastimosa on June 21 in Muntilupa
    By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Posts Another Seven-Win Day in Colombia
    Sat, 23 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Beat Cavaliers 109-93 Behind Hart’s Postseason Career-High 26 in East Finals
    By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 22 May 2026