Cantada, who revived "Fistorama" over four years ago in Smokin’ Joe’s memory, is taking the GAB to task for arbitrarily increasing the compensation of boxing officials in promotions without prior notice or consultation.
Because of the GAB’s dictatorial and strong-arm methods, Cantada says he’s leaving professional boxing and shifting his attention to the amateur ranks. That’s a big blow to the GAB as "Fistorama" is the most durable TV professional boxing show in the country with a history of over 25 years.
"I am shifting my efforts to amateur boxing where I do not expect harsh and unwarranted policies," wrote Cantada in a biting letter to GAB chairman Eric Buhain. "I will still continue to promote Philippine boxing nationwide and worldwide. Only this time, it will be amateur boxing.
It is very unfortunate that your office would implement such an arbitrary measure when professional boxing is barely surviving and only Manny Pacquiao’s fights and promotions make money nowadays."
Cantada says he was flabbergasted when in his "Fistorama" promotion at the Cantada Sports Center last Sept. 17, he was presented a bill by the GAB amounting to P31,800 compared to what he paid for — P9,480 — in his previous show.
The increase was traced to the additional compensation the GAB, on its own, decided to generously give to ring officials at the promoter’s expense.
Here’s a breakdown of the money trail.
In the past, a referee was paid P40 a round or P160 for a four-rounder and P400 for a 10-rounder. Now, the fee is P800 per bout regardless of the distance except in championship fights where the rate is higher.
In the past, the GAB charged a flat rate of P2,000 for three judges per promotion. That was what Cantada paid for 10 fights in his Bagumbayan, Taguig, show last April 23. Now, the fee is P400 for each judge or a total of P1,200 per bout, regardless of the distance. So that in his card last Sept. 17, Cantada was assessed P10,800 for nine bouts compared to P2,000 for 10 fights five months before.
In the past, the ring announcer’s fee was P1,500. Now, it’s P2,000.
In the past, the timekeepers (for knockdowns and for each fight) were paid P750 each. Now, they’re paid P1,500 apiece.
In the past, the charge for two ringside physicians was P2,000. Now, it’s P6,000.
By the way, the GAB’s new boxing chief is Dr. Nasser Cruz, a well-traveled ringside physician.
Cantada says the increases are excessive and disproportionate, particularly in the compensation for referees and judges.
"Why should a promoter pay the same excessive amount for a four-rounder and a 10-rounder?" he asked Buhain.
Cantada says he was shocked by the absence of any consultation or at least, prior notice. The bill was shoved down his throat at the boxing event itself.
More in disgust than exasperation, Cantada is turning his back on professional boxing to protest the GAB’s dictatorship.
"I do not wish to contest this arbitrary move," he told Buhain. "I could have agreed to a reasonable rate of increase in compensation.
Instead, I have decided to leave professional boxing altogether. In my more than four years of involvement in professional boxing, I have been very honest and fair in my dealings, particularly with the boxers. I have never charged any admission fees in any of my boxing promotions.
"I have been very successful in my boxing promotions and projecting Filipino professional boxing, through television, with my rated weekly program ‘Fistorama.’ This is not only shown nationwide on RPN-9 but also worldwide through my partnership with ABS-CBN Global’s The Filipino Channel. I wish I could say the same thing financially."
In a parting shot, Cantada called Buhain’s attention to the fact that in his boxing promotions, he would pay for two ringside physicians even as only one was in the venue.
Professional boxing’s loss is amateur boxing’s gain.
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