NORTH COTABATO Gov. Manny Pi?ol is convinced that local professional boxers are considered ?the most exploited athletes? in the country, which was again highlighted in boxing icon Manny Pacquiao?s failure to get a single centavo from the HBO pay-per-view shares.
In this regard, Pi?ol, a former veteran media man-turned-governor told sportswriters during yesterday?s PSA Forum that he would “do all he can to convince Congress to enact a law,” which could finally protect professional boxers like Pacquiao from further exploitation.
“Kung meron nga namang mga exploited professional boxers, eh masasabi nga nating mga Pilipino yun. But in the case of Manny Pacquiao, there are two perspectives. Ako?y naniniwala na in the business sense, hindi lang si Murad (Muhamad, promoter of Pacquiao-Erik Morales super featherweight fight last March 20) ang dapat managot kung hindi pati din ang business manager niya. In fact, the business manager should have looked into other matters bukod sa perang na-involve.
“Second ay yung tinatawag nating moral perspective, na maaaring mali nga si Murad dahil mas malaki ang kikitain niya kumpara kay Pacquiao na siya namang lalaban sa ring,” explained Pi?ol.
Pacquiao is set to leave for Los Angeles today with the purpose of consulting with American lawyers Keith Davidson and Nicolas Cahn in a bid to file charges against Muhammad in court to recover what is due him from the pay-per-view contract of his fight against Mexican Erik Morales in Las Vegas last March 20.
Pacquiao lost a unanimous 12-round decision against Morales before a jam packed crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pi?ol said former World Boxing Council featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa?s case was a classic example of a professional boxer, who was exploited.
Espinosa has yet to receive the fight purse of US$150,000, which he was supposed to earn for fighting Argentina?s Carlos Rios in South Cotabato.
Espinosa has since filed a case against then South Cotabato Gov. Hilario de Pedro, but has no positive news yet after beating the Argentine eight years ago.
“Kung hindi nga mapipigilan ang mga ganitong pangyayari, our Filipino boxers might end up as paupers. Hopefully, the law that would soon be enacted would be similar if not better than the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act,” said Pi?ol.
The Ali Boxing Reform Act provides that a promoter is not entitled to receive any compensation for a boxing match unless he discloses, one, the amount he will receive and two, all fees, charges and expenses that will be assessed by him pertaining to the match including any portion of the boxer?s purse and training expenses.
