OLYMPIC AFTERMATH: Lopez rules out conspiracy theory

Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Mel Lopez said yesterday there was no foul play behind the four Filipino boxers’ wipeout at the recent Sydney Olympics but confirmed the existence of a "Mafia" ruled by International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) president Anwar Chowdhry who has the power to influence the outcome of fights.

It was Lopez who spearheaded a campaign to oust Chowdhry from the AIBA throne at the World Congress in Turkey in 1998 but his candidate, Dr. Wu Ching-kuo of Taiwan, couldn’t match the largesse displayed by the Pakistani four-term reelectionist. Chowdhry, supported by alleged drug dealer and billionaire AIBA executive Gafur Rakhimov of Uzbekistan, paid for the travel and stay of at least 70 delegates to outpoll Dr. Wu, 75-38.

Rakhimov was one of two International Olympic Committee (IOC) patrons denied entry into Australia for the Olympics because of supposed underworld activities. The other was Asian Basketball Confederation president Carl Ching Men Ky of Hong Kong.

Lopez said the ugly specter of the "Mafia" controlling the AIBA has raised speculation that boxing may be struck out of the Olympics calendar in the future.

In Sydney, Chowdhry tried to downplay the talk of wide-scale bribery by publicly offering to double whatever money is offered to the AIBA’s judges and referees assigned to the Olympics. But instead of generating positive feedback from media, Chowdhry fried in his own lard as he virtually cast doubt on the integrity of his own officials by his ridiculous offer. Chowdhry was elected to his first four-year term in 1986.

Lopez said the "Mafia" couldn’t penetrate the judges in the Filipinos’ fights because Chowdhry knew he was under scrutiny. Lopez and his son Manny, who is the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president, had put Chowdhry on notice that they would watch for irregularities like hawks.

Besides, Lopez said the cheating usually takes place during the semifinals and finals when the lobbying intensifies on who will win the gold. The Filipinos didn’t even qualify for the quarterfinals in Sydney.

Lopez said lightweight Larry Semillano and lightwelterweight Romeo Brin lost convincingly but lightflyweight Danilo Lerio and flyweight Arlan Lerio could’ve won if not for bad breaks.

Bringing in only four qualifiers to Sydney was a handicap, added Lopez who said to improve the chances of bagging a medal, six or seven qualifiers were necessary. Thailand, for instance, sent nine qualifiers and only one, flyweight gold medalist Wijan Ponlid, struck paydirt.

Lopez said the country’s chances would’ve been enhanced if only bantamweight Roel Laguna and featherweight Anthony Igusquiza qualified. Both fighters were on standby as possible wildcards in case of no-shows but weren’t elevated.

"Mataas si Roel — he’s 5-8 1/2 – at matapang si Anthony," noted Lopez. "They would’ve been medal prospects. If there was any cheating against us, it was during the three qualification tournaments in Uzbekistan, Korea, and Thailand. Doon tayo niyari."

Despite the debacle, Lopez said he’s not giving up hope on the Filipino boxers. The ABAP has over 40 in the national pool training in Baguio and Lopez predicted the next Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and Olympic medalists will come from the batch.

"We are determined to make it," he said. "We’ll try harder. Inabutan tayo ng malas sa Sydney but we’ll bounce back. We’ve learned a lot of lessons. We’ll go for taller fighters. We’ve got to improve on our footwork. We’ll make sure in the next Olympics, we’ll bring in six to seven qualifiers — that means we’ve got to work double time during the qualification tournaments."

Lopez described the Sydney team the best-prepared of all. The Filipino fighters had a lot of international experience, moved to Australia four months before the Olympics, were provided for, and benefited from outstanding coaches. Fate, however, had other plans.

Regarding coach Raul Fernandez Liranza, Lopez said the Cuban was apologetic after the wipeout. He added that Liranza’s fate is up to his son who will consult with the coaching staff and fighters soon on the matter. Besides, the Cuban government may not agree to an extension.

Lopez said contrary to reports, his son and the coaching staff watched each and every fight in Sydney despite the Filipinos’ early exit. Lopez himself stayed nearly three weeks in Sydney while his son, over a month, to look after the fighters.