Boxing: FIVE RP BOXERS IN GLARING MISMATCHES

The Philippine Games and Amusements Board which is the government agency responsible for supervision and control of professional boxing in the country, continues to turn a blind eye to glaring mismatches in which Filipino boxers who battle Thai opponents usually end up getting knocked out or badly beaten. Five more boxers have been lined up against far superior Thai opponents on three consecutive fights cards beginning on the weekend of June 24.

Manila Standard was informed that Cesar Ancajas who lost by a sixth round knockout last April 4, 2003 to Pan Asia Boxing Association super featherweight champion Pongsith Wiangwiset, the talented southpaw who has won his last ten fights after dropping his first bout, will clash with the Thai champion in a rematch while a comparatively unknown Filipino boxer identified as Ganoy will battle former WBA light flyweight champion Pichitnoi Sithbangprachan who has a ring record of 32-2 with 14 knockouts, in a six round bout.

Well known Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer told Manila Standard that the title fight had been offered to Bart Abapo but that he had turned it down because Thailand was notorious for hometown decisions and the purse was too small. Manila Standard also learned that Thai promoters base the purse on the number of rounds the Filipino boxer will last.