By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine lightweight champion Fernando Montilla who surrendered at 1:44 of the second round in a fight against WBA No.1 ranked Yodsanan Nanthachai last week in Thailand fought without the necessary license from the Games and Amusements Board because he had failed to submit the results of a drug test where he allegedly tested positive.
Dr. Radentor Viernes of the Games and Amusements Board told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that the medical division refused to issue Montilla a license after the Angelus Medical Clinic in Makati “saw a problem and had to talk to him (Montilla).” Dr. Viernes said Montilla and his trainer Alan Alegria went to the clinic the day following his tests, March 22, where he was told “there’s a problem in the laboratory test and they would just relay the results to me.”
The GAB doctor disclosed that Montilla and Alegria showed up at his office the following day and when he called up the clinic they informed him that “they have to send the specimen (urine) to the Department of Health for confirmation.” Dr. Viernes also disclosed that Montilla had undergone all the required tests but had “failed to complete his urine sample” and he was forced to call him at the Angelus Clinic and “admonish him for refusing to complete his urine samples.”
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today learned that Montilla who was knocked out in two of his last three fights was also abandoned by the matchmaker who arranged the fight, Bong Obero. Obero has been blacklisted by the GAB and operates without the necessary GAB permit . He has often been cited for sneaking fighters out of the country because of his alleged connections with some GAB officials.
According to well known boxing analyst and part owner of the L&M Gym where Montilla trains, the RP champion was stranded at the Bangkok airport without any money, slept in the airport overnight and was scheduled to fly home yesterday. The supposed purse for the Philippine champion was a measly $1,000 which was also allegedly not paid to him by Obero.
The chief of the GAB’s medical division Dr. Nasser Cruz said Montilla went to the GAB to have a medical clearance and was attended to by Dr. Viernes who disclosed that Montilla was not given a medical clearance. Dr. Cruz said he therefore did not have a boxer’s license for 2006 “which is a pre-requisite for a boxer to fight anywhere.”
Alegria who accompanied the fighter to the laboratory is reported to have confided to L&M officials that the test turned out “positive.” When Alegria looked for his fighter at the L&M Gym he was surprised to learn that Montilla had left for Bangkok where he was stranded after being badly beaten in his fight.
Five other Filipino boxers were also mauled last week in a series of mismatches in Thailand. What is even worse is that Montilla who hardly trains is scheduled to fight for the WBC Asian Boxing Council vacant lightweight title against Saddam Kietyongyuth on Aprul 13, once again in Thailand.