Pro boxing restart gets big applause

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu boxing community has lauded the restart of professional boxing in the country as approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) upon the recommendation of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

GAB chairman Baham Mitra made it clear though that fights may be allowed only in areas under MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) most probably by August under strict health and safety protocols drafted by the government.

Nevertheless, the certainty that action in the ring will be back soon is something that the boxing circle is looking forward to especially the boxers and trainers who are most affected by the ‘no work, no pay’ policy during this pandemic.

“It’s a very good news for all of us in the boxing industry, most especially to our prize fighters and the fans. It will give hope to those who feel forlorn because of this very hard situation that we are all in. But Big Yellow boxing team is always optimistic that we can rise back up,” said couple Seth and May Tio of Big Yellow Promotions.

“Our immediate plan for the time being would be to have our boxers start training and conditioning both with their mental and physical health,” the Tios added.

Brix Flores, chief trainer of the Noy Pacing Flores Boxing Academy in Mandaue City, and Professional Boxing Officials (PBO)-Central Visayas President Arnie Najera are also pleased with this welcome development.

“I’m very happy that at least pro boxing will return even just in MGCQ areas for now,” said Flores. “This is a big help for us who rely on boxing as a means of livelihood. I would also like to thank GAB for working out on this.”

“Boxing is back. A good news as this means our brothers - boxers, trainers and matchmakers - can start earning a living again,” chimed in Najera. “I hope we all abide by the protocols so that we can achieve the level of confidence (of the government) where a more relaxed and more liberal holding of boxing events will be allowed eventually.”

Omega Gym head coach Julius Erving Junco said he has always been positive that boxing will be able to get up after being knocked down by the deadly coronavirus for four months.

“I’m so excited because we haven’t seen action in the ring for quite a while now,” said Junco. “Our fight card is ready and once the GAB and IATF give us the go signal to promote, we will go ahead with it anytime.”

For ALA Gym manager Edito Villamor, boxing may get back on its feet again but it will never be the same again knowing that the virus is always in our midst.

“We are most thankful to the IATF and the GAB for giving the go-signal on pro boxing restart under MGCQ areas,” said Villamor. “But the situation will not get back to normal because the virus is still there. It’s very tough to normalize things these days not only in boxing but in our everyday living because there’s of constant fear in the minds of people.”