GAB blind to tampering?

Lawyer Rudy Salud yesterday said he is disturbed by reports that Philippine flyweight boxing champion Edgar Rodrigo was lured by matchmaker Lope (Jun) Sarreal, Sr. to leave manager Mira Murayama’s stable – despite a live contract – and called on the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to investigate what appears to be a blatant case of tampering.

GAB boxing chief Noli Flores is in Moscow attending the World Boxing Council (WBC) annual convention and could not be reached for comment.

Murayama’s husband Yuki, a Japanese freelance photojournalist, confirmed Rodrigo now lives in Sarreal’s home and appealed to the GAB for protection from unscrupulous meddlers who tempt fighters to switch loyalties for money.

"I do not want to quarrel with anybody but I know there are crazy things happening in boxing," said Murayama. "For four years, I took care of Rodrigo and treated him like a brother. My contract is good up to four or five more years. I feel bad because of what happened. I am confused."

Murayama said he is close to finalizing a contract for Rodrigo to fight WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam and speculated it could be the reason why interlopers took an interest in the General Santos City fighter.

"Pongsaklek will defend the title against Hussein Hussein in November and Rodrigo is next," disclosed Murayama. "Now, I don’t know what to do. I’ve spent time and money to look after the fighters. Rodrigo told me he had a family problem to attend to in General Santos and so I allowed him to leave for the province. I never saw him again."

Murayama admitted Sarreal has offered to buy out Rodrigo’s contract. He declined to reveal how much was put on the table. "I have not made up mind," said Murayama. "Of course, I don’t want to hold on to a fighter who no longer wants me as his manager. But at the same time, I think managers should be protected from losing fighters whom they care for."

Salud, a former GAB and WBC secretary general, said under the Civil Code, there are specific and severe penalties against tampering of existing contracts.

Rodrigo, 23, won the Philippine 112-pound title via a ninth round stoppage of previously unbeaten Z Gorres in Makati last June. Salud, who manages Gorres, said he is exercising his option on Rodrigo’s first defense and voluntarily increased the purse stipulated in the contract from P50,000 to P60,000. Salud said he intends to use the option for a rematch.

A stumbling block appears to be the GAB which, a source confided, has an unwritten policy frowning on an immediate rematch in a title defense–an obsolete practice in world boxing.

Salud dared the GAB to produce a document that outlaws an immediate rematch in a title defense and said without a written order, the government agency is obliged to sanction the return fight because there is a worthy challenger and a willing promoter.

Rodrigo was offered to make the first defense of the title against Sukarno Banham for a P30,000 purse but it never materialized. Besides, Salud said, why would Rodrigo accept an offer less than what he guaranteed for a rematch with Gorres?

Gorres, 21, has scored back-to-back knockout wins over Rommel Libradrilla and Ryan Campecino since losing to Rodrigo and is raring for a shot to regain the throne.

Salud said Gorres was bothered by abscessed teeth before fighting Rodrigo. A dentist removed eight of Gorres’ decayed teeth and Salud said the fighter is finally rid of the problem.

"In our option clause, the contract stipulated a purse of P50,000," said Salud. "We’ve increased it to P60,000 without Rodrigo asking."

Salud said he plans to stage the rematch in the undercard of a proposed Luisito Espinosa-Cassius Baloyi fight for the International Boxing Organization superfeatherweight crown at the Luneta on Dec. 19 or a Dec. 13 card featuring Philippine superfeatherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao against mandatory challenger Bart Abapo in Subic.

Rodrigo turned pro in 1998 and has a 10-3-4 record, with five KOs. Gorres made his pro debut two years ago and his record is 15-1, with nine KOs.