Perils of boxing in South Africa
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Apr 2021
Christian Araneta fought in South Africa last weekend.
In the history of pro boxing involving Filipinos in South Africa, the alarming trend of losing by a hometown decision or not getting paid or both is causing GAB chairman Baham Mitra sleepless nights. Mitra realizes that in this pandemic, the opportunity to earn a paycheck anywhere in the world is limited so when an offer comes, it’s difficult to resist the temptation of signing for a fight even in South Africa. But he wants to make sure Filipino boxers are protected from unscrupulous promoters.
There have been close to 50 world title fights, mainly of the International Boxing Organization (IBO) variety, pitting Filipinos against South Africans in South Africa and only two Filipinos won, both via first round KOs----Edrin Dapudong in 2013 and Rey Loreto in 2015. The list of Filipino losers includes current WBO bantamweight king JohnRiel Casimero, IBF No. 1 bantamweight contender Michael Dasmarinas, former world champions Jesus Salud, Florante Condes and Eric Jamili, Genisis Libranza, Juanito Rubillar twice, Joey Canoy thrice, Arnel Barotillo twice, Eric Barcelona thrice and Tiger Ari. Most of the losses were disputed decisions. Dapudong, for instance, lost twice by a split decision. Rubillar lost twice, once by a split and the other, a majority verdict. One of Canoy’s three title cracks was ruled a no contest.
Superflyweight Jonas Sultan scored a rare victory by a Filipino over a hometowner in a non-title fight in South Africa in 2016, stopping Makazole Tete in two rounds but in March last year, flew to Kempton Park City to face Ricardo Malajika only to be advised the bout was cancelled. He was promised $1,000 of his $8,000 purse for the trouble of taking the trip but to this day, hasn’t been paid. Filipino matchmaker Bebot Elorde was also promised $1,000 for his services by South African promoter Rodney Berman and he, too, hasn’t been paid. Last month, Sultan sent a handwritten note to Mitra appealing for assistance in collecting the $1,000 that is now overdue for more than a year.
Last Saturday, two Filipinos dropped unanimous 12-round decisions in South Africa. IBF No. 4 lightflyweight Christian Araneta decked IBF No. 3 contender Sivenathi Nontshinga in the last round but failed to finish him off. Araneta was the aggressor from the start and Nontshinga danced the full route away, circling, jabbing and refusing to engage. Two judges scored it 114-113 and the third saw it 115-112, all for the South African. In the other fight, Jerald Paclar was outpointed by WBO Intercontinental superflyweight titlist Yanga Sigqibo. Paclar floored Sigqibo with a body shot in the second round but referee Sipho Ndongeni ruled a foul blow, nullified the knockdown and allowed his countryman time to recover. In the eighth, Sigqibo was once more given time to rest after Ndongeni called another foul blow. Judge Leslie Gross had it 116-112, judge Sithembile Tom 116-112 and judge Lulama Mtya 116-113, all for who else? The three judges concurred in awarding only three rounds to Paclar.
After the fight, Paclar wasn’t paid his purse of $4,000 and his manager Raffy Jimenez appealed to Thailand-based WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo for help. Monitoring the incident closely, Mitra said Panoncillo has reached out to the promoter who promised to pay up “in a few days.” Paclar is scheduled to arrive in Cebu from South Africa this afternoon empty-handed. Araneta, however, was paid his purse of $14,000.
Another Filipino, Robert (Inggo) Paradero, is scheduled to take on Thembani Okolo for the vacant World Boxing Federation minimumweight crown in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on June 27. Filipino matchmaker Jerald Tepora arranged the fight with South African promoter Mbulelo Mfama. Paradero will be paid $4,000 and his manager Dr. Toto Sajulga said the deal includes three plane tickets. “OK na kami sa premyo,” said Dr. Sajulga. “Gusto lang ni Inggo makabawi sa talo niya kay (Vic) Saludar, low morale ang bata.” Dr. Sajulga said he is coordinating with Mitra to guarantee Paradero isn’t short-changed in trying to avert another South African misadventure.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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