Carter clears air on Ablaca charges

Vietnam war veteran Terry Carter yesterday accused boxing trainer Juanito Ablaca of spreading lies to strain his relations with Japanese matchmaker Joe Koizumi who was formerly his business partner in managing world title prospect Rodel Mayol.

Ablaca was hired by Carter in 1997 to train fighters in Cebu but was terminated last September. He sued Carter for illegal dismissal and also filed an immigration case against the American for overstaying as an alien.

Carter said Ablaca peddled lies to drive a wedge between him and Koizumi after his dismissal. Ablaca had introduced Carter to Koizumi and arranged the tie-up for Mayol. When Ablaca was terminated, he retaliated by keeping Mayol’s passport and stalled negotiations for the fighter’s crack at the Oriental title in Japan. Ablaca eventually surrendered the passport and Mayol went on to win the championship.

"I’m prepared to pay Joe $5,000 if Ablaca passes a lie detector test," said Carter who has lived in the country intermittently since 1995. "Ablaca is an extortionist, a thief and a liar. If Ablaca passes the test, I’ll even deliver Rodel and Benedict Suico (another prospect) to Joe."

Carter said he has no quarrel with Koizumi whom he respects but if he’s pushed against the wall, he won’t back down from a confrontation.

"I’m a real man," said Carter. "I fought in Vietnam with honor for three years. I’ve been decorated by two governments. I survived over 17 combat missions with the Marines. Bullets missed me by inches. I was never wounded. A voodoo woman told me God would protect me from harm because my destiny is to help poor people. I was one of only three survivors of 36 men when our camp was overrun by Viet Cong one night. I know what it’s like to be in a fight."

Carter, 58, said Ablaca was never his employee and has no legal basis to sue for illegal dismissal.

"It’s just harassment," continued Carter. "I refuse to pay Ablaca anything. I won’t let him get away with what he’s doing. He talks of a settlement. I’m not buying it. If he has the guts to take me to court, I’ll face him. He’s got no proof. I won’t get pushed around. I’ve worked hard for what’s mine and I’m standing up for what’s right."

Regarding his immigration case, Carter said he has broken no law. "If I’ve done something wrong, tell me what it is and I’ll pay the fine," he added. "I don’t own property in the Philippines. I don’t own a business. I’m a trader. I enjoy boxing. I love boxing. It’s my hobby. My only mistake was I once took out a boxing promoter’s license which was issued by the GAB (Games and Amusements Board). I realize I should never have gotten the license but the GAB gave it to me. I go in and out of the country. There’s nothing wrong with that."

Carter said he has a four-year-old son Stonewall with his estranged Filipina wife Lorna Brazil. He adopted Brazil’s daughter by a previous relationship, Carolina. Carter has filed for an annulment of the marriage even as he continues to support Brazil and her children. He said he plans to marry his Filipina fiancée Joy Ouano who on paper, owns his boxing stable as soon as the annulment is confirmed. He also said he will bring Brazil’s two children to the US to study.

Carter said there are nine fighters in the Stonewall stable. Two of Stonewall’s top talents, Mayol and Marvin Tampus, are set to leave for Jakarta in a few weeks. "They will go for sparring," he said. "If they get an offer to fight, we’ll consider it. Boy Cantada plans to promote both of them on May 21 in Makati. I hope to later bring them to the US where they can earn big bucks. Marty (Elorde) promised to contact (Freddie) Roach to find out if they can train in his gym in Los Angeles."