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Philippines, 02 Apr 2026 |
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BUHAIN'S REMINDER TO BOXING JUDGES; MEETING RENE BARRIENTOS By Alex A. Paglumotan, GAB Commissioner PhilBoxing.com Wed, 15 Feb 2006 In the aftermath of a big controversy surrounding an OPBF bout in Japan last February 5, Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain immediately rolled up his sleeves by reviewing a videotape of the said fight, and issued a reminder to the country's boxing judges to avoid scoring 10-10 even rounds in a fight, as that constitutes indecisiveness on the part of the judges who are supposed to come up with a decision. Buhain was referring to the fight between OPBF bantam champ Malcolm Tunacao and challenger Kohei Ohba, which ended in a split draw although majority of the ringsiders thought the Filipino Tunacao did enough to win most of the rounds. Australian judge Ignatius Missailidis saw it 115-114 for Tunacao, while Japanese judge Yasuo Tomoto saw it differently at 115-113 for his compatriot Ohba. Ironically, Filipino judge Teddy Alivio penned the bout 115-115, resulting in the draw verdict which elicited negative feedback among Japanese fans and Tunacao himself. "I thought I had won the fight easy. My opponent was not punching back, and was content at defending himself," said a visibly disappointed Tunacao after the fight, who was joined by members of his team in protesting the draw verdict. Buhain, in his review of the tape, scored the bout 117-111 for Tunacao, while indicating that even if he was to be generous to Ohba, he would have still scored it 115-113 still for Tunacao. "Malcolm outclassed Ohba truly," Buhain stated, indicating that Tunacao was putting up a good show ahead of the win putting undue risk on his chances. But still, Buhain added, Tunacao clearly won. Buhain pointed out that Alivio's scoring of both the 4th and the 10th round, where he turned in 10-10 scores, "puts him in a very questionable position in his ability to judge," citing that the OPBF and all major organizations in the boxing world discourages scoring even rounds as it defeats the purpose of the 10-point must system. The GAB Chairman also added that he will definitely bring up this issue when the first-ever GAB Annual Boxing Convention takes place in April, where part of the conclave's agenda is to update boxing officials' skills in rendering fair judgements. ***** On the day of the hearts for our youngsters and the young at hearts, I never really expected to meet the former WBC world champion. His name is Rene Barrientos of Cagayan de Oro City in the northernmost portion of the southern Philippines.The casual meeting took place at the regional office of the GAB here when I gave a lecture on the pre-GAB convention aspects regarding the upcoming priority project of our agency in Manila dubbed as the 1st ever Phillipine Annual Boxing Convention slated 18th-21st of April 2006 to be held at the Hotel Hyatt and Casino Manila. The event aims at showcasing to the whole world our current world champions and thus proving in effect that our country is now becoming a professional boxing haven in this part of the globe. I was sent by the agency in Cagayan de Oro to articulate to all the bonafide or licensed promoters, managers, trainers and referee-judges the goal of this very significant event as a priority program included in the basic sports agenda of Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.The GAB as an agency under the office of the President headed by the dynamic former Olympian Eric R.Buhain is only tasked to implement for its successful holding. Anyway, the objective is to create an avenue for our world champions to be recognized by our fellow Filipinos and most of all in accordance with our theme "Building the nation's champions for global recognition". But going back to the former WBC Champ, he was there seriously listening when I did the presentation before the local boxing community in our regional office in Cagayan. I consider these people as our co-partners in the agency for the development of professional sports in the Philippines for the realization of our mandated mission . I was happy to realize that these people gave their full support and commitment to ensure a fantastic attendance come April this year. Suddenly a man in his 60's, still looking in high-spirit and strong approached me and said "My name is Rene Barrientos and I was former WBC world champion during the Marcos era". He stood firm, even in fighting shape and truly a clear reflection of a real Filipino fighter. Soon after we had that brief conversation , I offered him a job as the assistant representative of the Women International Boxing Association in the whole area of Mindanao. He will be assistant to my good friend and promoter Leonil Lazarito, a very well known long time promoter and producer of top quality boxers in this area of Philippine archipelago, whom I appointed as the WIBA-WABA representative in the entire area of southern Philippines.I was so proud and felt honored by their immediate and outright acceptance of the task. This is a good sign for the opening of the floodgate of opportunities for future world female Filipino champions. I believe in the capacity of Rene Barrientos being one of our living treasures in the community of professional boxing in the country. When I asked the former champ about his comment on the recent feats achieved by our Filipino heroes, especially belonging to the Pacman generation, he replied by saying "Commissioner, how I wish to have fought and stood in honor of the Phils before the arena of world boxing today." I asked him why. He again answered "Because to be champion today means fortune". The former champ is now commited to help me in my pursuit to pioneer the promotional aspects pro women boxing. He considers female boxing, recently legalized by the GAB, as a new challenge to the nation's capability to build up and sustain its sports agenda. Mabuhay ka RENE BARRIENTOS! You're a People's Champ in your own right! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex A. Paglumotan, GAB Commissioner.  |
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