GAB fears mismatch for Manny vs Hoya

Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain told congressmen during a budget hearing yesterday that his agency has asked the World Boxing Council to cancel the Dec. 6 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar dela Hoya because he believes the Filipino icon has no chance of pulling off a win.

However, he said the boxing council has informed him that it was too late to scrap the match because the contract for it has already been signed.

Opposition Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City said he supports the GAB appeal of the cancellation of the fight.

“I think Manny has no chance of winning. Dela Hoya, who is five inches taller and who is five inches longer in reach than our boxing idol, will kill the smaller and lighter Manny,” he said.

“This boxing bout is just about money. Pacquiao has no chance. We have to protect him. He is a national treasure,” he added.

The Pacquiao-Dela Hoya slugfest is projected to rake in at least $100 million in total revenues. Pacquiao is expected to share between $15 million and $20 million.

Rodriguez suggested to Buhain that if Pacquiao does not want to back out of his coming fight with Dela Hoya, the GAB should consider revoking his license now.

“If he is deprived of his boxing license, he will have a legitimate reason to walk away,” he said.

Buhain said his agency would consider Rodriguez’s suggestion.

During the hearing, Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel of the party-list group An Waray expressed his concern over the debacle suffered by the Philippine team at the recent Olympic Games in Beijing.

Noel, who watched the team perform in Beijing, said lawmakers should be willing to support Filipino athletes and their trainers with additional funds provided they do better in the next regional and world sports events.

“Their next events could be their last chance. Otherwise, they won’t be able to justify the expenditure of hundreds of millions in taxpayers’ money,” he later told reporters.

He also urged Philippine Sports Commission officials to do a “house cleaning” and rejecting interference from some politicians in sports programs and events.

He said he has information that some associations are getting funds directly from the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, which are required to remit a certain portion of their income to PSC.

“The PSC, Pagcor and PCSO should not allow this irregular practice. The funds should be remitted to PSC and it is the commission that should give funds to NSAs and make them account for the money,” he said.