By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino boxing judge Romy Yulo has surrendered his license after he was summoned by Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain and confronted with evidence over his involvement in accompanying a boxer to fight in Thailand without GAB approval.
Yulo, who is known to be a longtime associate of Jun Sarreal, accompanied super flyweight Rene Banares to Thailand where he was knocked out in the second round of a scheduled six round bout against former world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin last September 21.
Yulo was summoned by Buhain after Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today raised the issue of continuing mismatches in Thailand . The GAB boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz confirmed that Banares did not get clearance from the GAB to fight abroad. Buhain said that another boxer, Joan De Guia who was with Banares and Yulo in Thailand testified that Yulo was in the corner of Banes and even gave allowances to the fighters.
Banares had a record of 12 wins, 14 losses and 4 draws with 5 knockouts while the veteran Vorapin had a record of 71-9 with 47 knockouts.
There was no word on what action would be taken against Banares or who the matchmaker was. In fact Dr. Cruz had earlier stated that Banares would be suspended but gave no hint of what action would be taken against the matchmaker.
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today learned that prior to his departure for Thailand, Sarreal had called the gym where Banares trained looking for the fighter.
