Philippines, 24 Feb 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:

  • ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • 125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 23 Feb 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria
    , Sun, 22 Feb 2026
  • SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026
  • Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • FLOYD MAYWEATHER UNRETIRES
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • WBC Introduces new award "WBC Main Event" world championship Chain & Pendant
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • "Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • A Massive Weekend Ahead for Renowned Trainer Bob Santos
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia?
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Pacman bout details revealed
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 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.