Clarin to spearhead Asian boxing
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Apr 2023
GAB chairman Atty. Richard Clarin said yesterday it’s time for Asian boxing to consolidate and form a strong union in safeguarding the rights of fighters while creating more opportunities for growth on a global scale. Clarin recently attended fights involving Filipinos in Thailand, Australia and Japan to study the conduct of competition and touch base with officials and promoters from different countries in the region.
“I had a long discussion with JBC (Japan Boxing Commission) to the point that we already spoke about creating an Asian boxing organization to be headed by GAB as president and representatives from other councils as members,” said Clarin after his trip to witness the Ginjiro Shigeoka-Rene Mark Cuarto match for the interim IBF minimumweight championship in Tokyo last Sunday.
It’s been Clarin’s crusade that in title fights involving boxers of different nationalities, there should be one neutral judge if the other two judges come from countries represented by the protagonists. In the Shiegoka-Cuarto fight, the neutral judge was Carl Zappia of Australia and the other judges were Greg Ortega of the Philippines and Michiaki Someya of Japan.
Clarin said although the WBC has an affiliate Asian Boxing Council, his vision is to form an independent Asian body governed by Asians. “Para may sariling council tayo sa Asia,” he said. “I’ve also spoken to Lim Song, the head of boxing in Vietnam, and he will support this initiative. Japan also agreed to support this idea with GAB as head. Sa Korea, ang daming private councils and sa Thailand, we need to gain their support too. Others don’t have federations yet and I’m willing to create for them so they can join the Asian council. I’ve talked to (MP Promotions head) Sean Gibbons on boxing concerns abroad and met legendary referee Frank Garza in Tokyo. Frank is retiring this year and I’ve invited him to do a seminar in Manila for our boxing officials.”
Photo: GAB chairman Atty. Richard Clarin (left) with referee Frank Garza and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 27 Jan 2026Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
Tue, 27 Jan 2026David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 27 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
By Eric Armit, Mon, 26 Jan 2026MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 26 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 26 Jan 2026Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
Mon, 26 Jan 2026Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 24 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Sat, 24 Jan 2026Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 24 Jan 2026Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 24 Jan 2026NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 24 Jan 2026