By Rey Danseco
More controversy hits the air overseas with respect to the obvious overmatching a Filipino boxer in Thailand. The information was discovered on Monday, after a matchmaker from a respected clan in boxing signed an inexperienced light-puncher Rodney “Jun” Alba, to a blank contract sheet as a tune up opponent of a highly rated Thai fighter who will challenge for a third world title in the near future.
This writer found out that international matchmaker, Jun Sarreal, through his daughter Babylyn Sarreal, had convinced Alba to sign a blank fight agreement that obliged the 20-year old and 3-year pro, to fight on July 5 at Muangthongthanee Stadium in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
The signing of contract was held Monday at the main office of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) in Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. Alba was getting clearance to fight for the first time overseas in what he and his manager Ailjoe Jaro of Binangonan, initially thought was a 6-round bout against an unnamed foe in Thailand.
But after Jaro found out yesterday from internet reports that his late bloomer boxer is slated to face former WBC bantamweight and super featherweight champ Sirimongkol (Singmanasak) Singwancha in a 10-round bout, he threatened Sarreal not to honor the contract unless Alba’s original penny purse of $600 dollars, minus $200 matchmaker share for Sarreal, will be raised to $1,000.
The promoter of the card is Gen. Chira Navisathira of the Naris Boxing Promotion.
Alba, not even rated in the Philippines, has no experience in 10-round bouts and has never fought outside of the country.
“If he (Alba) fought for 10 rounds, he is entitled to a disciplinary action from the (GAB) board,” said GAB boxing division chief Noli Flores, who confirmed that they approved the 6-round bout between Alba and Sirimongkol after it was filed by the young Sarreal on Monday.
Alba, who is coming off an unpopular 8 round unanimous decision last Saturday against Greggie Tao-on in a rematch, has a poor 11-6-2 record with only two knockouts. The record is not even close to the record compiled by the 9-year veteran and current WBC No. 2 contender Sirimongkol, who has 32 wins against Filipinos in his menacing record of 48-2-1 with 28 KOs.
Sirimongkol will become the WBC No. 1 lightweight contender in next month’s WBC world rankings. He gained the number after scoring a seventh round TKO over current top ranked Michael Clark (34-3, 15 KOs) of Ohio in their eliminator fight last May in Las Vegas. With the win, he became the mandatory challenger against the winner of the rematch the WBC has ordered between current WBC lightweight king Diego Corrales of the USA and Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico.
Sarreal also booked on that card, veteran Nonoy Gonzales in a bout against WBC ABCO light welterweight champion Sataporn Singwangcha and another overmatched patsy fighter, Jhay Herla, against WBC No. 3 ranked and current ABCO light flyweight king Wandee (Chor Chareon) Singwancha in six round non-title bout.
Sarreal is son of the legendary Lope “Papa” Sarreal (1905-1995), who produced 22 world champions during his illustrious career, and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.
Sarreal, Sr. is most often associated with Hall of Famer Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, the great Philippine, Oriental, WBC and WBA junior lightweight champion.
Elorde, incidentally, is Papa Sarreal's son-in-law, having married his daughter, Laura. In addition to Elorde, other world titlists guided by Sarreal include flyweight Masao Ohba, super lightweight Saensak Muangsurin and super featherweight Ricardo Arrendondo. Sarrael is credited with introducing big-time boxing in Korea, Thailand, Japan and opening the Asian market to pro boxing. The influential and revered Sarreal died on March 14, 1995.
