How sincere is the WBA?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 11 Feb 2022
WBA president Gilberto Mendoza.
It took over two years before the WBA responded to GAB chairman Baham Mitra’s call for a dialogue to thresh out problematic matters involving Filipino boxers. Mitra issued two letters protesting the WBA’s arbitrary stripping of Manny Pacquiao’s welterweight title in the super category last year then endorsed appeals from Filipino managers Gerry Balmes and Kenneth Rontal asking recompense for unfair treatment of their fighters in WBA title fights abroad. None drew a reaction from the WBA. "Dedma" or short for "dead malice" is the local street word for the WBA's act of ignoring GAB.
In a strongly-worded letter, Mitra sent an e-mail dated last Jan. 22 to the WBA suggesting an “urgent, constructive dialogue” to resolve the issues earlier raised. Obviously, the Pacquiao issue is now academic as he has retired from the ring. But Mitra persisted to pursue the dialogue to defend the honor of boxers ArAr Andales and Vic Saludar who appeared to have been shortchanged in their WBA championship bouts. Andales lost to super WBA minimumweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart via a technical decision in Thailand in 2019 but Balmes claimed he should've won by a technical knockout. Saludar was dethroned as regular WBA minimumweight ruler by Erick Rosa on a split decision in the Dominican Republic last December but Rontal insisted that Panamanian referee Guillermo Perez Pineda was mistaken in calling two knockdowns against the Filipino. Without the knockdowns, Saludar would've retained the belt. Mitra’s latest communication got airplay in media and that probably reached WBA president Jesus Mendoza’s ears.
Lo and behold, Mendoza replied to Mitra in a letter dated last Feb. 4. Better late than never. “I would like to apologize for the delay in our response,” said Mendoza. “Certainly, the communications you have previously sent had not been received by our office directly and somehow, were left unanswered. That being said, I would like to reiterate that the WBA will always seek to keep the best relations with all those who make part of this great sport in order to benefit and strengthen our discipline. For that reason, we would like to invite you to a meeting, ideally via Zoom, to discuss the current situation.”
Mitra said he proposed a meeting yesterday but Mendoza failed to reply. After what seemed like a reconciliatory posture, Mendoza has once again snubbed GAB. “Upon their availability na lang and for them to choose the time,” said a visibly miffed Mitra. “I want to bring Kenneth and Gerry to the meeting. I hope they’ll allow me to bring them in.” There's no certainty if Mendoza will make good on his promise to invite Mitra to a Zoom session. If the WBA doesn’t push through with the meeting despite Mendoza’s recent letter, there are firm grounds for GAB to dissociate from the Panama-based organization. At the moment, no Filipino holds a WBA championship belt. The reigning Filipino rulers are WBC bantamweight Nonito Donaire, WBC featherweight Mark Magsayo, WBO bantamweight JohnRiel Casimero, IBF superflyweight Jerwin Ancajas and IBF minimumweight Rene Mark Cuarto. Previous Filipino WBA world champions were junior welterweights Roberto Cruz and Morris East, flyweights Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria and Brian Viloria, superfeatherweight Ben Villaflor, bantamweight Luisito Espinosa, superbantamweight Jesus Salud, minimumweight Joma Gamboa, featherweight/bantamweight Nonito Donaire, Jr., Pacquiao and Saludar.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Dec 2025