After the epic battle between Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao and his Mexican opponent Erik Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada, an administration senator yesterday vowed to push for the approval of a bill seeking to establish health and safety standards relating to the conduct of professional boxing matches in the country.
Unexpectedly, the proposal came from Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who expressed her salutation on the bravery and gallantry shown by Pacquiao, who did not give up until the fight was over.
?I was watching the fight yesterday, and I was very impressed by Manny?s gallantry in not giving up despite the fact that his face was already very bloody,? Santiago said.
?On Sunday, when the whole country was glued to their television watching the fight, I felt that even for a very short period of time, we were truly united as one nation, devoid of political and religious affiliations,? she added.
Santiago said that boxing, a sport where an athlete is susceptible to injury, requires government regulation and safety standards.
Because of this, she filed Senate Bill no. 1501 or the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 2005, which provides that a professional boxing match may be held only if a licensed practicing physician, whose services are paid by the promoter, is continuously present at the ringside of the professional boxing match.
The promoter must also ensure that an ambulance is continuously present at the vicinity of the venue, she said.
Her proposal also requires the promoter of every boxing match to subject all boxing contenders to a physical examination under a licensed practicing physician before the match.
?I know that there are boxers, especially those who are just starting out in their athletic career, who will participate in a match even if they are not in tip-top shape because they are thinking of the money to feed their families,? Santiago said.
?This is very dangerous. A boxer endangers his health if he is not in perfect physical condition prior to a match.?
Santiago said the Games and Amusements Board should also require all promoters of boxing matches to provide boxers with insurance coverage for injury sustained while engaged in a boxing match.
?While most boxing organizations may have already incorporated all these health and safety requisites in their own charter, it is important that our government takes primary responsibility in ensuring the safety of our boxers by enacting a law that will solely serve their interests,? Santiago said.
?Many of our countrymen have made the nation proud by becoming world champions. It is high time we look after their welfare.?
