How sincere is the WBA?

It took over two years before the WBA responded to GAB chairman Baham Mitra’s call for a dialogue to thresh out problematic matters involving Filipino boxers. Mitra issued two letters protesting the WBA’s arbitrary stripping of Manny Pacquiao’s welterweight title in the super category last year then endorsed appeals from Filipino managers Gerry Balmes and Kenneth Rontal asking recompense for unfair treatment of their fighters in WBA title fights abroad. None drew a reaction from the WBA. “Dedma” or short for “dead malice” is the local street word for the WBA’s act of ignoring GAB.

In a strongly-worded letter, Mitra sent an e-mail dated last Jan. 22 to the WBA suggesting an “urgent, constructive dialogue” to resolve the issues earlier raised. Obviously, the Pacquiao issue is now academic as he has retired from the ring. But Mitra persisted to pursue the dialogue to defend the honor of boxers ArAr Andales and Vic Saludar who appeared to have been shortchanged in their WBA championship bouts. Andales lost to super WBA minimumweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart via a technical decision in Thailand in 2019 but Balmes claimed he should’ve won by a technical knockout. Saludar was dethroned as regular WBA minimumweight ruler by Erick Rosa on a split decision in the Dominican Republic last December but Rontal insisted that Panamanian referee Guillermo Perez Pineda was mistaken in calling two knockdowns against the Filipino. Without the knockdowns, Saludar would’ve retained the belt. Mitra’s latest communication got airplay in media and that probably reached WBA president Jesus Mendoza’s ears.

Lo and behold, Mendoza replied to Mitra in a letter dated last Feb. 4. Better late than never. “I would like to apologize for the delay in our response,” said Mendoza. “Certainly, the communications you have previously sent had not been received by our office directly and somehow, were left unanswered. That being said, I would like to reiterate that the WBA will always seek to keep the best relations with all those who make part of this great sport in order to benefit and strengthen our discipline. For that reason, we would like to invite you to a meeting, ideally via Zoom, to discuss the current situation.”

Mitra said he proposed a meeting yesterday but Mendoza failed to reply. After what seemed like a reconciliatory posture, Mendoza has once again snubbed GAB. “Upon their availability na lang and for them to choose the time,” said a visibly miffed Mitra. “I want to bring Kenneth and Gerry to the meeting. I hope they’ll allow me to bring them in.” There’s no certainty if Mendoza will make good on his promise to invite Mitra to a Zoom session. If the WBA doesn’t push through with the meeting despite Mendoza’s recent letter, there are firm grounds for GAB to dissociate from the Panama-based organization. At the moment, no Filipino holds a WBA championship belt. The reigning Filipino rulers are WBC bantamweight Nonito Donaire, WBC featherweight Mark Magsayo, WBO bantamweight JohnRiel Casimero, IBF superflyweight Jerwin Ancajas and IBF minimumweight Rene Mark Cuarto. Previous Filipino WBA world champions were junior welterweights Roberto Cruz and Morris East, flyweights Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria and Brian Viloria, superfeatherweight Ben Villaflor, bantamweight Luisito Espinosa, superbantamweight Jesus Salud, minimumweight Joma Gamboa, featherweight/bantamweight Nonito Donaire Jr., Pacquiao and Saludar.