By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain said yesterday the GAB would investigate the actions of boxing judge Teddy Alivio who turned in an even 114-114 scorecard in the OPBF title defense of Malcolm Tunacao which nearly cost the former world champion his title against undefeated Japanese Kohei Ohba.
Buhain told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that the GAB board had met and discussed the incident after which the chairman said he “put up some policy statements” and indicated that if there was “negligence on the part of Alivio we will decide on what to do with his license.”
Buhain disclosed he would watch a DVD of the fight today in order to assess the performance of the boxing judge who hitherto had a good reputation both as a referee and a judge. Buhain said he would “fast-track the investigation and a decision in order to set an example” to other ring officials.
Tunacao who returned from Japan along with OPBF minimum weight champion and WBC No.1 Rodel Mayol and Gina Matsuoka, the charming wife of their manager, well respected Japanese businessman-sportsman Yasuo Matsuoka was visibly angry over Alivio’s scorecard.
Tunacao said “I was very, very angry and hurt even more because the one who went against us was my countryman. My opponent never hit me and didn’t even punch. Anybody who watches the tape will surely agree that I won the fight.”
Tunacao thanked chairman Buhain for his swift action and said he “felt bad for my manager who even though he is a Japanese helps Filipinos so much and the Filipino doesn’t help his own countryman.” Tunacao said he didn’t want a win if he didn’t deserve it and insisted he won handily.
