Boxing has been one of the Philippines' top spectator sport. Majority of Filipinos, being sports fan or not, know their ring heroes. From Pancho Villa to Gabriel "Flash" Elorde to Rolando Navarette to Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire. These pugilists are our source of pride and are used as symbol of the Filipino's courage and masculinity. So popular is the sport that we see a lot of 18 year old Pinoys go pro rather than go to school. We cannot blame because out of the millions of Filipinos who finished college and even post-graduate studies, only few can claim to be earning as much as Congressman Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.
The same people who sermon about the dangers of the sport would be cheering and shouting every time the Pambansang Kamao bateers another Mexican fighter. So, are we gonna stop our kids from going to college and start taking boxing lessons instead? Recent events here and abroad can make you think twice.
Three recent incidents could in a way discourage many future wold-beaters to pursue a serious career in this sweet science.
Incident 1: Death of Karlo Maquinto
21 year old Karlo Maquinto was promising young fighter from Ilo-ilo. He was an undefeated prospect (6-0-1) who was known to fight on and rally after a knockdown. He got knocked down twice in the opening round of his last fight and by sheer will, he was able to salvage draw to keep his unblemished record. He collapsed just as the results were announced. He left a very good impression to boxing fans in his last fight but as the saying goes, "he saved the best for last". Five days after the fight, Maquinto died because of some bleeding in his brain. His death raised many issues about how prepared were the organizers of the event. There are people questioning the lack of equipment like oxygen tanks.
I only have one question, how can we make a dangerous sport safer? Just like in American Football, boxers are risking severe injuries every time they step on the ring. Broken hand, broken ribs, broken nose. and deep wounds are far too common occurrences. Even the greatest boxing champion (Ali) does not look so good years after retiring from boxing. While the NFL is becoming serious about concussions, the boxing world probably do not even know what it means. Fans love to see boxers get pummeled and knocked out. People boo when 2 boxers are hugging and not dishing heavy pnishment to each other. They are the modern day gladiators. Just like gladiators many of them fight for freedom... freedom from poverty.
The boxing event when Maquinto died was a big event. It was not a boxing card in remote barangays. It was televised and the promotion was big. If a "big" promotion can be dangerous, how much more are the little known events. Maquinto's death is an eye opener and the leaders of sport should take it seriously.
Incident 2: Donaire beats Vasquez
The Filipino Flash captured the WBO interim superbantamweight by dominating former champion Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. of Puerto Rico. Nonito Donaire practically won all rounds and yet he was surprised when the scorecards were announced, he was down 112-115 in the eyes of the first judge (Ruben Garcia). Luckily, the two other judges gave him the bout with a similar 117-110 score. Donaire scored the only knockdown of the match in the 9th round. How in the world a competent boxing judge can score a match against Donaire? I do not what criteria in judging was Ruben Garcia looking for in picking the winner of the fight.
That is why a lot of boxers now want to KO his opponent or face the risk of being kayoed by the judges. Donaire almost got robbed. Many Filipino boxers have their dreams crushed by poor judging. They go to far away lands to try to grab some glory only being denied by hometown decisions. It is probably one of the major reasons that there are very few Filipino boxing champs (it is a similar case of Filipino saints where we only have one even if we are the only Catholic country in Asia).
To be a champ, one has to overcome great odds sometimes including the judges and the third man on the ring. It is not an easy path for the Filipino pugs.
Incident 3: Casimero gets mauled in a post-fight riot
Johnriel Casimero just became the newest Filipino world champion after capturing the IBF flyweight title by beating 40 year old Argentinean Luis Alberto Lazarte via tenth round knockout in Mar de Plata, Argentina. Before the official verdict could be announced, the partisan crowd started throwing debris and chairs towards the Filipino contingent. Some rowdy fans started to climb to the ring and attempted to maul Casimero and his handlers. The video look liked a riot of football fans after seeing the home team losing. The passion was there indeed and it almost killed our champion.
Even in victory, a boxer can now face the risk of losing his life from angry fans or probably bettors. Boxing is gambler's sport and it could go too far. Fans which could be short for fanatics can take their loyalty to the extreme.
Boxers now can be killed or hurt seriously by their opponents, judges, referees, ring officials, and fans. If you are brave enough to face many opponents (like the movie 300), then start taking up boxing.
Links:
Pacquiao for VP in 2016???
Manny Pacquiao and his websites
Pro boxers in the 2016 Olympics??
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