Tiwala si Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Khalil “Baham” Mitra na muling maibabalik ang dating katanyagan ng boksing sa bansa bunga nang sunod-sunod na tagumpay ng ating mga professional boxers.
“I predict renewed interest in Philippine boxing and glory days are going back very soon,” sabi ni Mitra na nasaksihan ang pagkapanalo ni Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas kay Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo para maagaw ang hawak nitong International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight belt noong Sabado sa Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Pinalusot ni Ancajas, tubong Panabo City, Davao del Norte, sa lubid si Arroyo sa Round 8. Bagama’t nakabawi si Arroyo, muli siyang bumagsak sa sumunod na round,l ngunit idineklara ng referee na nadulas lamang ito. Matapos ang 12 round, nagwagi ang 24-anyos na Pilipino sa bisa ng unanimous decision upang tanghaling ikaapat na Filipino world champion.
“It’s with great pride and honor that we greet our new world champion. It just shows that Filipino athletes are world class,” pahayag ni Mitra.
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Naunang nahablot ni Marlon “Nightmare” Tapales ng Lanao del Norte ang World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight crown sa Thailand noong Hulyo. Kasama pa sa grupo ng mga kampeon si WBO super bantamweight titlist “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire Jr. at IBF flyweight champion Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero.
Panglima sanang Filipino world champion si Donnie “Ahas” Nietes ngunit binitawan niya kamakailan ang WBO light flyweight crown upang mangampanya sa mas mabigat na flyweight division.
“We hope to be able to energize Philippine boxing by going out of our way at GAB to look after their welfare and opening doors for them. I will make sure that Filipino boxers are never exploited while managers and promoters are able to have proper income,” ani Mitra.
Umaasa rin si Mitra na mapapahaba pa ng GAB ang itatagal ng lisensiya mula dalawa hanggang tatlong taon ng bawat professional boxers na magre-renew. (Gilbert Espeña)
