Rodrigo withdraws complaint

There was no hearing at the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) office in Makati yesterday.

The hearing was prompted by Philippine flyweight boxing champion Edgar Rodrigo’s complaint against estranged manager Mira Murayama and his appeal to terminate their contract on grounds of personal differences stemming from a financial misunderstanding.

But the confrontation never took place. Instead, Rodrigo’s representative Romeo Yulo–a close associate of international matchmaker Lope (Jun) Sarreal, Jr.–showed up with a letter informing GAB Commissioners Emmanuel Palabrica and Angel Bautista that the fighter is withdrawing the complaint after reaching an out-of-court settlement with Murayama.

Since the letter bore only Rodrigo’s signature and not Murayama’s, Palabrica and Bautista waited about 30 minutes before canceling the hearing–in case Murayama appeared.

Actually, the settlement was arranged in the morning–hours before yesterday’s scheduled hearing. Rodrigo himself went to Murayama’s home in Mandaluyong to meet with his Filipina manager and her Japanese husband Yuki.

The meeting was cordial and reconciliatory. Both fighter and manager agreed to part ways amicably.

"I explained the conditions to Rodrigo for his release," said Yuki, a freelance photojournalist who has lived in Manila over 10 years. "He agreed. He has until the end of the year to make good on the conditions. Until then, I am still his manager. So it really depends on Rodrigo if and when he wants to be released."

Yuki admitted the conditions were primarily financial. "No problem sa aming paguusap," he continued. "If he wants his release to be immediate, all he has to do is to settle. I’m not making it difficult for Rodrigo. I just want to get back my investment and for him to pay back what he owes me."

Yuki said from what Rodrigo will pay, he will allocate a sum as his contribution to the Boxers Welfare Fund that is managed by the GAB. He declined to disclose the amount of the settlement but said it will not be less than P50,000.

Rodrigo’s benefactor Lope (Jun) Sarreal, Jr. said the other day he is willing to pay Murayama double than the fighter’s debt which he estimated to be about P16,000 for the release. But Murayama said the debt was much bigger.

Murayama said he is concerned that the breakup may set a bad precedent in that it negates the binding nature of a contract between a fighter and his manager. However, he said no manager will want to take care of a fighter who is no longer interested in continuing their relationship.

If Rodrigo is not able to settle with Murayama before his Dec. 1 fight against Glenn Donaire in Subic, he will give up a share of his P50,000 purse to the manager.

Rodrigo left Murayama’s camp after he was refused a cash advance of P2,000 to pay for the hospitalization of his sick child. He was brought to Sarreal by another fighter Dondon Gimenea. Sarreal, eager to take Rodrigo under his wing, dug into his pockets and put money in the Philippine champion’s hands. Sarreal clarified that he never sought out Rodrigo–it was the other way around–and helped the fighter out of the goodness of his heart.

Murayama said with the Rodrigo problem over, he is now concentrating on highly-touted fighter Randy Mangubat who defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) International flyweight crown against Diosdado Gabi in Kidapawan City on Nov. 9.

As for Rodrigo, he’s got a tough opponent in Donaire. Last Sunday, Donaire pounded out a unanimous eight-round decision over previously unbeaten Bernardo Uclos of Kidapawan in a Fistorama flyweight title eliminator at the Cantada Sports Center.

Uclos was at least three inches taller and about five pounds heavier. Donaire battered him from pillar to post but couldn’t score a knockdown. To stave off Donaire, Uclos resorted to dirty tricks–butting, holding his opponent’s head down and hitting below the belt. In the sixth, a butt on the temple almost forced Donaire to surrender.

"I was dazed," said Donaire, complaining of the butt after the fight. "The ref (Silvestre Abainza) didn’t see it because he was on the other side of the ring. I wanted to quit. I couldn’t see clearly. I thought I’d get knocked out. But I just took it. I wanted to win so badly for my dad."

Donaire’s father Nonito wasn’t at ringside. He’s still in the US.

"My dad was upset when an accident happened last year–I got my girlfriend Darling pregnant," said Donaire. "I didn’t fight for 10 months and stayed in the States. But I came back, married Darling and we now have a two-month-old baby girl Abigail. My dad has accepted us. He’ll be in Manila when I fight Rodrigo. I need my dad in my corner."

Donaire, 23, broke his jaw in a freak accident during a sparring session with Tata Polinar last year. But he has since recovered to compile six straight wins.

If Donaire dethrones Rodrigo, he said he will likely relinquish the crown and slip back to the 108-pound division where he is more comfortable.