Ronnie Nathanielsz
The Philippines Games and Amusements Board which is the government agency responsible for supervision and control of professional sports has committed another blunder in boxing by allowing Roberto Rubillar who suffered a seventh round TKO last April 30 against world-rated Bert Batawang to fight on May 22 against Alfred Nagal in Mendez, Cavite.
Approval of the May 22 bout was in violation of a standing GAB rule that requires a fighter who suffers a KO or TKO to take a minimum 45 day rest before fighting again. Rubillar lost to Nagal adding to his woeful fight record of four losses this year alone.
Rubillar was a substitute for Eugene Gonzales who suffered a cut on his eye while doing his roadwork and it was the GAB that ruled he couldn’t fight resulting in Rubillar taking his place against Batawang in the Mandaue City fight card.
In an interview with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, GAB boxing division chief Noli Flores apologized for the error and blamed the GAB Cebu office for the delay in reporting the Batawang fight result to the Manila office.
