Sad state of boxing in the country

THE first major event I covered when I got into this job close to 20 years ago was a boxing event, a WBC “international” title fight between boxers I’ve long forgotten. I remember, I was called at the last minute to cover a courtesy call by the organizers at the Cebu City mayor’s office, because that’s how rare a boxing event in Cebu was then, it merited a courtesy call.

Aside from getting a correction from my then boss Nimrod Quiñones on dropping the word New from the Cebu Coliseum’s name, I also got schooled in the difference between “international” and “world title” fights as I thought they were the same. That was in 1997. Now, international title fights are almost the norm when promoters hold fights here. It used to be that a Philippine title was the main event; now, they are only good enough for the undercards, playing second fiddle to international title fights in even the small boxing events.

But, despite that, it is strange to read from industry experts and boxing officials that the sport is dying in the Philippines; the population of boxers is dwindling, attendance is getting lower and quality fights are no longer aired live. That’s just some of the diagnosis.

We hit a high with Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr. getting the world’s attention, and though both are still fighting, they are nearing retirement age.

What happened? Some blame GAB, the governing body for the sport. I’ve heard horror stories about GAB when I started reading the sports pages in 1992 and I’m still hearing horror stories from officials themselves now. That’s how horrific this boxing body is, though lately, to go with the flow of this administration, GAB is singing the “change is coming” tune.

Just how bad is it at GAB? Consider the accusations from boxing officials themselves against their boxing division head Nasser Cruz--1.) human trafficking, 2.) allowing a boxer who is blind in one eye to fight for a world title in a match he himself supervised; and 3.) insisting that he be served “lechon and girls” from hosts.

Pretty damning, isn’t it? What’s worse, that’s not new or even unreported at all. The late Ronnie Nathanielsz had been wailing about the various alleged anomalies at GAB for years but nobody joined him in his cause. Nobody.

A few weeks ago, local officials— judges and referees—finally joined the call and called for his ouster. Too late the hero? Why only now? You could ask, but I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt, that they are after the welfare of the sport.

If PHL boxing is dying, perhaps this is the much-needed life saver.