By Rey Danseco
The Philippine Games and Amusement Board (GAB) is in hot water after it was involved in bad officiating of a non-title fight on Saturday night at the Elorde Sports Center in Paranaque City.
An explosive Boxing Kontra Droga (Boxing against Drugs) card was marred with controversial officiating that cost a heartbreaking loss to a young Iloilo-native fighter Keeward Miñosa (4-4-1, 2 KOs) of well-known boxing handler Johnny Elorde, who also the promoter of the card.
Miñosa suffered a split decision loss in six round minimumweight fight against unbeaten Jessie Boy Roña (4-0-1, 2 KOs) instead of winning by technical knockout when veteran referee Virgilio Garcia and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) officials refused to follow the regulation.
Trapped in the rope, Roña was sent out from the ring and head-first dropped to the cemented flooring of the Grand Flash Ballroom after he was caught with two furious left hand punches, a hook to the head and body in the sixth and final round.
Grasping for air from his mouth, the fighter from Tondo in Manila laid his back in the floor beside at the table of one of the judges at ringside and his cornermen, headed by ex-boxer Amy Pacaña, immediately attended him along with GAB ring physician Dr. Redentor Viernes.
Garcia instructed a timeout with “T” sign language in his hands to GAB officials, headed by Virgilio delos Reyes at ringside at one minute 18 seconds remaining of the bout.
Base on the video tape, Roña consumed one minute 14 seconds before he entered back to the top of the ring. Garcia afterward ordered GAB the continuation of the bout that dismayed the husband-and-wife promoter of the card, Johnny and Liza Elorde.
“We’re upset, the referee and GAB officials don’t know the rules and their duties,” said Liza Elorde, who plans to file a formal protest to GAB chairman Eric Buhain and Boxing Division chief Dr. Naseer Cruz. “What if that boxer spent half hour outside of the ring, would they allowed him to fight? That’s disgusting.”
Knowing reversal of decision isn’t a normal practice in pro-boxing, Johnny Elorde stated,”At least if we’ll we make a report, Chairman (Buhain) will know this incompetency and never let that bad decision happens in the future.”
Rona declared the 78-76 winner the scored cards of judges Salvador Lopez and Henry Viernes. The third official Epi Almeda favored Minosa, 77-76.
In the main event, RP bantamweight contender Monico Laurente used his height and reach advantages to contain Allan Fuentes. Laurente earned a unanimous decision win over 10 rounds with 97-93 (twice) and 98-92 verdict from three judges.
Wendell Cajoles took a well-deserved unanimous decision win over the game Romel Bongon in the other 10-round tussele in the card. Cajoles was favored with 95-94, 96-93 and 95-94 minus the point deducted in round 4 after Bongon suffered a cut in the right eyebrow from accidental headbutt.
Jun Alba, a super featherweight, earned his second win in as many matches with Ameriasian Sugarray Estrada with a unanimous decision in their 6-round welterweight match.
Gilbert Feruelo took a 4-round majority decision win over Bal Villuente in their super flyweight fight. Light flyweight debutant Jayson Rotoni also dominated Romel Amor in four rounds while minimumweight Oliver Mendoza scored the only knockout win in the card when he annihilated Jomar Elorde at 1:03 of the first round.
