THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 Feb 2012
The Philippine House of Representatives Committee on Games and Amusements will conduct an inquiry on the death of Karlo Maquinto today in Quezon City. They will likely look into procedures, most importantly medical emergency procedures that were obviously overlooked on that fateful day. The lack of basic medical supplies like an oxygen tank, a spinal board and a cervical collar by the responding emergency personnel will be primary in their agenda. This inadequacy has drawn widespread criticisms from various media outlets and fans of the sport as well. And rightfully so. How are we going to be one of the "places to be" in of boxing if we lack the basic equipments and training necessary to deal with emergencies in the ring?
They are also expected to look into the actions of the referee who officiated the match between Maquinto and Mark Joseph Costa last January 28th. Committee chairman Amado Bagatsing told a Manila based news network that "referees should know when to stop matches for the safety of fighters."(www.interaksyon.com). Maquinto was knocked down hard in the second round of that fight but managed to get back on his feet and fight the rest of the 8 round card. If the said fight was halted after the two knockdowns, could we have avoided Maquinto's death? Our Philboxing colleague Recah Trinidad believes so. In an interview with radio station DZMM, he said the referee should have stopped the fight soon after Maquinto suffered those two successive knockdowns. "Ako nakita ko yang pagtiklop ng tuhod, talagang shaken off his senses na, talagang wala ng pag-asa (ng manalo) 'yung bata." (I saw his knees fold, he was shaken off his senses, there is no chance that he will win that fight) Trinidad told the radio station.
I don't think that the referee would have been criticized if he called a halt on the fight after those two knockdowns , given what we know now. But at that time, that is second guessing isn't it? Seeing how Maquinto bravely fought back after getting floored. He even managed to almost sent his opponent down in the closing seconds of that round. But that is not second guessing now right? Maquinto should have been observed closely as the match progressed. It not only falls on the referee but also on the ringside physician and Maquinto's corner as well. Referee Eddie Nobleza should have asked for medical clearance after every round. The physician should have done a thorough neurological check of the boxer. Any signs of confusion, mental alteration and inappropriate response by Maquinto should have been a reason to stop the fight. Maybe it was wise if he should also have asked another physician for a different opinion regarding the boxer's status.
And Maquinto's corner should have also known what's best for their ward. They are in the best position to know if something is wrong with Karlo that day. They knew the young boxer more than anyone in the venue knows him. Any deviation from his normal conduct or personality should have been very obvious to them. Sometimes a fighter's corner gets so engrossed on encouraging the fighter to fight on and in the process ignoring the true condition of their boxer. Maybe , it would have been different if someone in that corner looked at Karlo in a different manner?
I agree that these are hard questions and matters to answer. But these questions and concerns are here because of what happened last January 28 in Caloocan City. And these are by no means illegitimate questions. They can definitely be refuted by people on the defensive or they can be used for improvements that can be introduced in the sport. The hearing today should not only find a reason to blame someone or somebody. It should also addressed the need to initiate the necessary changes or implement better provisions in the organizing of a boxing event in the country. The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) will definitely defend their actions today in front of the lawmakers and the public present in the hearing. They will say that everything is in accordance with protocol and will get themselves out of a sticky situation. Meanwhile our lawmakers will find loopholes to pin the blame on them. But is this what we need in the sport? Maybe for once, we forget about politicking and just come up with an objective inquiry of this and come up with necessary measures to address it? Yes?
I was once asked by a friend if the Philippines is experiencing the "Golden Age of Boxing"? I answered him "yes!" With promotions being held almost weekly in various parts of the country , the sport is at its peak. The desire of the media to give the sport a big share of their time and space is an opportunity to be used by boxers and promoters alike, The willingness of private companies to sponsor such boxing events is a sigh of relief, knowing how picky they are in what events to shelve their closely handled budget on.
The attention that world class fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire enjoy is an inspiration to every local Pinoy kid who wants to do well in sport and in life as well. The triumphs of our world champions in the likes of Pacquiao, Donaire, Donnie Nietes, Brian Viloria, Ana Julaton and most recently Johnriel Casimero is not only their pride but of our whole nation as well. And there is nothing wrong with kids dreaming that one day they can become like them.
But the GAB should be ready for the blossoming of boxing in our country. The promoters, the managers, the various boxing stables in our country should all be ready for this. Our lawmakers involved in sports legislation should be ready and should be closely monitoring events as they transpire in the sport of boxing. Events such as this. This congressional hearing is a welcome exercise indeed. But to people who have seen no tangible results that comes out of these hearings, this is another one of those exercise in futility. Here is hoping , this one is different. Here is hoping that something concrete, actual and fruitful will finally come out of the hearing today. Even if it's a small change in protocol. Even if it is a tiny revision in the procedures. Anything. Something.
If we can bypass the normal bickering, quarrelling and political grandstanding that permeates the culture of Philippine politics and sports as well, then we are onto something good indeed. If that happens, then we truly can say that the Philippines is in that golden age indeed. Because this tragedy can never happen again. Not in any time. Not in this country. Not in our watch. Not in the "Golden age of Philippine boxing."
You can email Rich Mazon at aol.com for any reactions to this piece.
Photo: Karlo Maquinto on the fateful night. Photo attributed to R. Adonay.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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