Games and Amusements Board boxing division chief Noli Flores’ attempt to put the blame on the GAB’s regional office in Cebu City for the blunder in allowing flyweight Roberto Rubillar to fight within the 45-day ban following a seventh-round TKO loss to Bert Batawang last April 30, is being disputed.
The GAB has a standing rule, which requires a fighter, who suffers a KO or TKO to take a minimum 45-day rest before fighting again.
Flores told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, which pointed out the blunder, that the Cebu regional office was to blame for the mistake in allowing Rubillar to fight Alfred Nagal in Mendez, Cavite on May 22 some three weeks after the TKO loss to the world-rated Batawang in Cebu City.
Flores said the GAB office in Cebu delayed reporting the Batawang fight result to the Manila office. He apologized for the blunder.
However, Viva Sports/Standard Today learned that the report had been promptly faxed to the boxing division in Manila. Flores later reportedly claimed they didn’t receive the fax when Cebu contested his statements. Besides, some GAB officials from Manila were also at special ringside when Rubillar lost by TKO to Batawang.
Meantime, boxing managers and promoters are questioning the failure of the GAB to insist that Oriental super featherweight champion Randy Suico’s manager, Japanese journalist Joe Koizumi, get a license since Suico’s title defenses are often held in the Philippines.
They point out that Filipino managers are required to obtain a license when their boxers fight in Japan and even Filipino managers have to be licensed by the GAB.
It was also noted that GAB chairman Eric Buhain had insisted on PBA commissioner Noli Eala getting a GAB license, which was never done in the past while a Japanese boxing manager was allowed to get away without obtaining a license.
