IS IBF MAKING A MOCKERY OF THE PHILIPPINES?
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 06 Aug 2008
Resentment is building up over the manner in which the International Boxing Federation ? IBF ? is treating the Philippines and indications are the Filipinos may soon follow the example of Japan and virtually ignore one of the world?s governing organizations for the sport.
The latest shenanigan of the IBF revolves around its insistence that super flyweight Z ?The Dream? Gorres must fight Jorge Arce or the next available challenger down the line for the No. 1 spot and a mandatory title fight against newly-crowned champion Vic Darchinyan.
Ironically, Gorres fought Darchinyan to a draw last February 2 in an IBF title eliminator and Darchinyan was given the mandatory title shot at then champion Dimitri Kirilov.
IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker?s explanation was that despite the draw Darchinyan was given the title fight since he was rated higher than Gorres at the time of their eliminator.
Darchinyan was No. 3 and Gorres No. 4. There was no No.1 or No. 2 which in itself seems ridiculous. Who was Darchinyan No. 3 to? If there was nobody rated in the two top spots Darchinyan logically should have been No. 1.
With Gorres now at No. 3 and no No. 1 and 2 which is the same as the situation Drachinyan was in and having drawn against the Australian in a title eliminator, fairness dictates the Filipino should get a shot at the new champion especially since their last fight was a draw.
But the IBF by some strange logic which rational human beings find hard to understand or accept, want Gorres to fight another eliminator. In other words two eliminators for one title shot not counting his IBF Intercontinental title fight victory over former light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz last August 2007 in the ?World Cup? in Sacramento.
Now comes the clincher. This same IBF has approved a light flyweight title fight between Brian Viloria, the former light flyweight champion and current title holder Ulises Solis.
We have absolutely nothing against Viloria and are happy that he has been given a title shot. But come on Mr. Tucker ? Viloria is ranked No. 3 and there is no No. 1 or 2. He never fought an eliminator but he?s now being given a mandatory title shot at Solis.
Why can?t Gorres be afforded the same right? Or is the Philippines being milked for sanction fees and other substantial expenses where the IBF appoints officials some of whom demand first class travel, accommodation and other perks and then being junked and treated unfairly? Me thinks so.
This has got to stop. Unless the IBF treats the Philippines fairly and not regard our decent promoters and managers as suckers, we should follow the example of Japan which has nothing to do with the IBF.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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