Boxing manager urges travel ban to Africa

MANILA, Philippines - Short of calling a travel ban, boxing manager Ryan Gabriel urged fellow handlers to avoid bringing fighters to South Africa, a country becoming notorious for all sorts of maltreatment to Filipino boxers.

“I think we should suspend the sending of Filipino boxers there. I experienced it myself and I want to speak out and do something about it so our boxers don’t suffer undue stress competing in other countries,” said Gabriel during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Gabriel recently went to South Africa to accompany trainer Benjie Gonzales and boxer Rens Rozia, who fought local hero Moruthi Mthalane for the International Boxing Organization flyweight title.

Gabriel was indirectly threatened when Mthalene’s trainer, Nick Durandt, pulled out a gun and waved it during the manager’s meeting when Gabriel insisted on getting his boxer’s purse the day before the fight as stipulated in the contract.

Durandt reportedly presented the purse but insisted on giving it on fight day.

“Pulling out a gun in a boxing bout is not acceptable. I simply cannot take it. Our boxer saw it and it destroyed his focus for the fight,” added Gabriel, who had already sent a formal complaint to IBO president Ed Levine.

Gabriel, however, said he was not satisfied with Levine’s reply that the incident was just a ‘misunderstanding.’  

Another questionable move by the host, Gabriel said, was Rozia’s having his blood extracted for HIV test on the day before the fight.

“We’re not against the test but this should be done  at least few weeks before the fight,” Gabriel said.