GAB bans Pinoy boxers from Thailand matches
04/02/2007 | 06:11 PM
The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is now enforcing a "no fight in Thailand" policy on Filipino boxers to prevent a repeat of a tragedy like that of Filipino boxer Lito Sisnorio, who died a day after being knocked out in a match in Thailand.
The GAB learned that Thailand allowed Sisnorio to fight even without a GAB permit, which it issues only to a boxer who has met three requirements:
• He must have won in his last five fights, with one win earned in the last three fights.
• He has not lost three times by knockout or technical knockout in his last five fights.
• He must have earned his last win must be within a year of the intended next fight abraod.
Sisnorio's fight records, according to Buhain, showed that he had two losses in October 2006 and November 2006.
And last January 26, he also lost by TKO to Pongsaklek Wongonkan in Thailand. This fight, like his last fight that led to his death, was also without a GAB permit.
Buhain also revealed that Sisnorio did not renew his license for 2007.
In a press statement released on Monday, GAB chairman Eric Buhain said his agency is "suspending indefinitely" all travel permits to Filipino boxers who want to fight in Thailand.
'No concern for boxers'
"Thailand boxing has failed in several occasions to request Filipino boxers to provide them with the travel authority from GAB before allowing them to step on the ring," Buhain explained in the statement. "Since they have not shown any concern on the dangers that boxers are to go through, the Board will implement this 'No fight in Thailand' Policy effective immediately."
Sisnorio, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Flyweight Champion, died of serious head injuries he got in his fight against former WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul last Friday in Bangkok.
The Filipino fighter, who absorbed a fourth-round knockout defeat from the Thai, was on his way to dinner on Saturday when he collapsed. He was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery to remove blood clotting in his brain.
According to reports, the 24-year-old Filipino regained consciousness after the surgery but died due to massive heart failure at Bangkok's Piyamin Hospital.
Manager may be held liable
Buhain revealed that Sisnorio was being managed by a certain Gemmil Contayoso.
"Contayoso will be held liable if the investigation shows that he has mismanaged the career of Lito Sisnorio," Buhain said.
Buhain is also appealing to boxing managers and promoters not to place the lives of their boxers in severe risks by violating GAB issued policies created for the safety of Filipino boxers.
For Filipino boxers and boxing officials who wanted to travel in Southeast Asian countries, no visas are required unlike in Japan, South Korea, USA and European countries. This means that they can reach Thailand with only tourist passports.
Buhain said that boxing managers and promoters doe not want to undergo several standard operating procedures to earn their travel documents. These procedures include least five (5) approvals, from the Medical Section to the Office of the Chairman to be given the travel authority to fight abroad.
"In this case, boxer Sisnorio was unceremoniously influenced by unscrupulous people to travel to Thailand to fight even without GAB "travel authority," Buhain said. - GMANews.TV
The GAB learned that Thailand allowed Sisnorio to fight even without a GAB permit, which it issues only to a boxer who has met three requirements:
• He must have won in his last five fights, with one win earned in the last three fights.
• He has not lost three times by knockout or technical knockout in his last five fights.
• He must have earned his last win must be within a year of the intended next fight abraod.
Sisnorio's fight records, according to Buhain, showed that he had two losses in October 2006 and November 2006.
And last January 26, he also lost by TKO to Pongsaklek Wongonkan in Thailand. This fight, like his last fight that led to his death, was also without a GAB permit.
Buhain also revealed that Sisnorio did not renew his license for 2007.
In a press statement released on Monday, GAB chairman Eric Buhain said his agency is "suspending indefinitely" all travel permits to Filipino boxers who want to fight in Thailand.
'No concern for boxers'
"Thailand boxing has failed in several occasions to request Filipino boxers to provide them with the travel authority from GAB before allowing them to step on the ring," Buhain explained in the statement. "Since they have not shown any concern on the dangers that boxers are to go through, the Board will implement this 'No fight in Thailand' Policy effective immediately."
Sisnorio, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Flyweight Champion, died of serious head injuries he got in his fight against former WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul last Friday in Bangkok.
The Filipino fighter, who absorbed a fourth-round knockout defeat from the Thai, was on his way to dinner on Saturday when he collapsed. He was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery to remove blood clotting in his brain.
According to reports, the 24-year-old Filipino regained consciousness after the surgery but died due to massive heart failure at Bangkok's Piyamin Hospital.
Manager may be held liable
Buhain revealed that Sisnorio was being managed by a certain Gemmil Contayoso.
"Contayoso will be held liable if the investigation shows that he has mismanaged the career of Lito Sisnorio," Buhain said.
Buhain is also appealing to boxing managers and promoters not to place the lives of their boxers in severe risks by violating GAB issued policies created for the safety of Filipino boxers.
For Filipino boxers and boxing officials who wanted to travel in Southeast Asian countries, no visas are required unlike in Japan, South Korea, USA and European countries. This means that they can reach Thailand with only tourist passports.
Buhain said that boxing managers and promoters doe not want to undergo several standard operating procedures to earn their travel documents. These procedures include least five (5) approvals, from the Medical Section to the Office of the Chairman to be given the travel authority to fight abroad.
"In this case, boxer Sisnorio was unceremoniously influenced by unscrupulous people to travel to Thailand to fight even without GAB "travel authority," Buhain said. - GMANews.TV
