Mitra says GAB can do PBC job

GAB chairman Abraham Mitra said the other day it’s not his call to influence policymakers mulling to create the Philippine Boxing Commission (PBC) but from what he knows about the proposal, his agency could do the job if given the budget that Sen. Manny Pacquiao has in mind.

Pacquiao is the principal author of Senate Bill No. 191 which seeks to set up the PBC as a government entity backed by a P150 Million annual budget with the goals of developing the fight game and providing for the welfare and safety of professional boxers. Pacquiao has pushed for the PBC’s creation since he was a Sarangani Congressman and filed House Bill No. 59 over three years ago for this purpose.

If ever the bill becomes a law, the GAB will surrender its jurisdiction over professional boxing to the PBC. At the moment, boxing is supervised by GAB commissioner Fritz Gaston, a former PBA player and Master’s degree holder in Business Management.

“I’ve met with Sen. Pacquiao on his proposal,” said Mitra. “I mentioned the importance of inviting individuals with no vested interests in boxing to the PBC Board, if ever. I think initially, the plan was to invite managers, promoters and trainers. I also mentioned the importance of inviting a representative from the Department of Health to join the Board because of the incidence of injuries in boxing. All I want is for the PBC to be fair and managed by men who love boxing but have no interest in the sport whatsoever. Sen. Pacquiao was quite receptive to the suggestions.”

Mitra said it’s up to the lawmakers to decide whether or not to establish the PBC. “We’ll follow the law,” he said. “If the law stipulates that the PBC will take over jurisdiction over professional boxing from GAB, of course, we will abide. However, my opinion is the GAB is already doing what the PBC is envisioned to do. What we don’t have is the budget that is earmarked for the PBC. I understand some Senators are questioning why there should be a specific commission for boxing. If there is a commission for boxing, what will stop someone from pushing for a commission for basketball or any other sport?”

Mitra said in his first few months in office, he opened his doors to stakeholders to listen to suggestions on how to improve the state of boxing in the country. From the dialogue came an objection to Dr. Nasser Cruz as boxing chief and Mitra agreed to move him to the basketball department on an interim basis with the possibility of bringing him back later. Mitra also acceded to a request to widen the range of a mandatory rest period from 30 to 45 days for a loser by knockout.

“We decided to reduce the rest period to 30 days under certain circumstances,” he said. “We considered a fighter ’ s opportunity loss. For instance, a six- rounder fighter earns P6,000. And if he’s not able to fight for 45 days, his ability to earn is compromised. So we’ll make adjustments on a case to case basis. As for fighters going abroad, they need not be rated by the GAB for as long as their opponents are at the same level. But the rule stands that a fighter must have won two of his last three fights to obtain clearance for a fight overseas. What we don’t want are mismatches.”

Mitra said a reason there is a declining interest in boxing is the proliferation of one- sided bouts. “Promoters want to make sure their fighters win so they sign up patsies,” he said. “That’s what’s killing boxing. Fans aren’t getting their money’s worth because they’re being treated to mismatches.”

Mitra said whether it’s the GAB or PBC to administer professional boxing, there must be accountability because taxpayers’ money is being used. “If it’s the PBC, we’ll need government representation in the Board because COA is involved,” he said. “We want to make sure every centavo is spent for the right purpose and accounted for.”

Pacquiao said with President Duterte’s support, the PBC will be established sooner than later. The recommendation is the PBC Board will be headed by a chairman with six members. An executive director will be named to manage the PBC. A monthly pension of P20,000 is being proposed for former Filipino world champions recognized by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO. The benefit is strictly for professional boxers and excludes Olympians. The PBC will set aside an amount for death benefits, life insurance, livelihood opportunities and medical services. Retired fighters who are destitute and sickly will be the PBC’s primary beneficiaries.