Philippines, 16 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ABAP Powerless Over Amateurs Turning Professionals; SEAG Silver Medalist Melligen Is The Lastest To Jump Fence


PhilBoxing.com


If only the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) had its way, it could have stop amateur boxers from turning professional.

But, according to ABAP president Manny T. Lopez, his office has no power in so far as its boxers' decision of campaigning in the professional level is concerned. In an interview with Lopez yesterday, following reports that SEA Games silver medal winner welterweight Mark Jason Melligen is the latest amateur boxer who jumps into the pro rank and in fact scheduled to appear in his debut bout on April 30 in Bohol, Lopez said it has long been the system.

Actually, it was not the first time that an amateur boxer turns professional and in fact, some of them succeeded in their new endeavor.

He also admitted that ABAP will not stop nor interfere with its boxers? decision to apply for a professional license.

?Matagal nang nangyayari yan, na ?yung mga boxers namin eh biglang nawawala and then nababalitaan na lang namin professionals na, pero hindi kami naghahabol, ganoon talaga ang kalakaran,? comments Lopez.

What Lopez wants to insist is a system in which the boxers?should take clearance from ABAP before campaigning in the professional rank.

?Dahil sa Pacquiao-mania mainit talaga ang professional boxing ngayon, and we understand na gusto ng mga boxers na sumikat din tulad ni Pacquiao,? Lopez lamented.

Because of this recent development, Lopez might meet with Eric Buhain, chairman of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the supervisory body task to oversee professional boxers, to tackle the issue.

?Honestly, the ABAP has no control of the boxers in our fold who wants to become professional,? Lopez said.

?Ang gusto lang namin dito sa ABAP, ?yung mga boksingero namin ay magpaalam nang maayos,? he added.

ABAP sec-gen Roger Fortaleza revealed that after settling for a silver medal in the 23rd SEA Games in December, Melligen had failed to report to ABAP office in January (2006). Moreso, the boxer didn?t bother to inform ABAP of his decision of fighting as professional.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Virgi T. Romano.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.