FIGHTERS WELCOME GAB’S FREE SERVICES

GAB plans to offer free MRI, CT scans to professional boxers Agency also wants to require boxers to have annual check-ups with DOH Ex-world title challenger Villanueva says free services will be a huge help

Most of the injuries or deaths of boxers here in the country are usually from the lack of medical services and prevention. The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is changing that by promising to give free medical services to professional fighters.

Headed by chairman Baham Mitra, GAB, in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH), will be offering free MRIs, CT scans and annual medical checkups to boxers.

“It’s very good for us boxers. Hopefully it will be implemented,” two-time world title challenger Arthur Villanueva told SunStar Cebu.”Usually when you fight abroad, the boxing commission there requires an MRI. I also had a medical examination here for my license in GAB and I had another medical examination for my fight in England. If this will be implemented then, this should be a huge help for us boxers.”

Villanueva spent more than P30,000 for those medical services. For a boxer who fights at a world- class level, it isn’t that much, but for most fighters who earn measly prize money, it’ll cost them an arm and a leg.

“Here in the Philippines, they only require a CT scan because four-rounders can’t afford MRIs. But if there are free benefits by the government, then an MRI would be better. This is for the safety of the boxers,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva’s promoter ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer believes that this move by the GAB will benefit underprivileged boxers.

“It’s a welcome idea as long as it’s free. The safety of the boxers should always be a priority,” said Aldeguer. “This is a major breakthrough for Philippine boxing if indeed it pushes through. Such a welcome move for all fighters, especially the others who don’t earn that much.”

Omega Boxing Gym head trainer Christopher “Pingping” Tepora and Rex “Wakee” Salud Gym coach Brix Flores also share the sentiment.

“That’s very good. It will be a huge help especially to those boxers who don’t have managers to pay for their medical expenses,” said Tepora, whose brother Jhack Tepora is a boxer.

“That’s a very good idea. Not only will the boxers be able to save, because most of the Filipino boxers are poor, they can also be assured of their safety,” said Flores, who is one of the cornermen of former World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales. “Free medical services is a very huge move by GAB.”

Despite the huge development, ALA Gym head coach Edito Villamor and Aldeguer still believe that there are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed by the government.

Aldeguer also wants another huge issue that’s quite rampant today to be addressed by the GAB.

“The mismatches and putting the right people who understand the sport,” he said. /