BOXING manager Rex “Wakee” Salud’s claim that he didn’t approve the postponement of Jimrex Jaca’s World Boxing Organization featherweight title fight against champion Juan Manuel Marquez from Oct. 21 to Nov. 25 has been denied by Golden Boy Promotions.
Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez sent Viva Sports/Standard Today copies of a letter dated Oct. 30 that Salud had submitted to Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain, through Dr. Nasser Cruz, chief of the Boxing Division, indicating he had approved of the postponement.
In his letter, Salud requested a letter of authorization for Jemuel Divino, with ring name Jimrex Jaca, “who has a scheduled 12-round bout for a WBO championship fight against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand on Nov. 25, 2006. The said boxer will be accompanied by Mr. Robert Bubuli Jr., his boxing trainer.”
Salud said the GAB’s “prompt action on the matter will be highly appreciated.”
The officer-in-charge of the GAB extension office in Cebu, Celso Miranda issued a certification the following day, Oct. 31, stating that Jaca was licensed until Dec. 31. The certification stated that Jaca will be at Las Vegas on Nov. 25 to fight against Marquez for the WBO featherweight championship.
The documents submitted by Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions exposed earlier claims by Salud that he didn’t agree to the Nov. 25 title fight and had committed to have Jaca fight on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales Grand Finale on Nov. 18, promoted by De la Hoya’s bitter rival Bob Arum of Top Rank.
Salud filed a formal complaint with Buhain against Jaca, claiming he was “pained by what Jaca did” and said he had an existing contract, which Jaca violated by signing a three-fight contract with Golden Boy.
Salud requested the GAB to ask the Texas Boxing Commission not to issue a license to Jaca and to stop the title fight if possible. Should the fight push through, Salud wants the purse of Jaca withheld and even asked the GAB to immediately cancel Jaca’s license.
