By Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

A boxer who was with Lito Sisnorio in Bangkok and identified himself as Boy Marco to hide his identity but is believed to be Michael Rodriguez has named former boxer Rey Paciones as the one who recruited six boxers to fight in Thailand without the necessary authorization by the Games and Amusements Board.

 

The boxer said that Paciones was working for Bong Obero whose real name is Ranilo Terrania. GAB chairman Eric Buhain revealed that Obero’s name has consistently surfaced in their probe of boxing anomalies involving mismatches and in the recent death of former WBC Youth flyweight champion Sisnorio

 

Sisnorio suffered a fourth round KO at the hands of former world champion Chatchai Sasakul and died hours later after brain surgery. Two months earlier Sisonorio had also taken a bad beating in a four round stoppage against reigning world champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.

 

According to the boxer interviewed by ABS-CBN, Paciones promised to pay them $500 per fight but they eventually received $300-$400 per fight.

 

Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today learned that Obero and his lawyer, a certain Atty. Coronan had called up chairman Buhain to deny Obero’s involvement. The so-called matchmaker who was banned by the GAB for his illegal activities in the past claimed he it was Paciones who was involved with an unscrupulous Thai agent identified as Panya Prachakorn.

 

Obero also called TJ Manotoc of ABS-CBN asking for a chance to be interviewed to clear his name since he was running as an independent candidate for Mayor of Bayawan City in Negros Oriental against incumbent German Sarana Jr of the administration party Lakas-CMD,. However, after postponing the scheduled interview on Thursday, Obero finally called it off.

 

Obero  claimed he had proof that Paciones was the culprit. Obero said he could produce a Western Union receipt for a sum of money wired by  Paciones to the boxers. However, instead of clearing him it further strengthened the allegation that Paciones worked for Obero since Western Union would not release a document to a third party indicating payment made by someone else. Buhain refused to buy the story and indicated the receipt was probably given to Obero because Paciones worked for him.