By REYNALD MAGALLON
BANGKOK — The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines is calling for a closer look at the results of the boxing events in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games over what it deemed blatant irregularities that led to the host country grabbing 14 of the 17 available golds in the regional meet.
Although results couldn’t be overturned, ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo is formally writing to the World Boxing to initiate at least an inquiry to the results.
“We’ll write to World Boxing, our international federation, to at least have an inquiry,” said Manalo.
“Tingnan nyo lang kung ano yung nangyari. May irregularities ba o wala. And then they decide for themselves,” he added.
Manalo was fuming at ringside on Friday, Dec. 19 as the PH boxers once again got the short end of questionable decisions of the judges, particularly on the bout of Jay Brian Baricuatro who lost via a split 3-2 decision against a Thai opponent.
“Iyong fact lang na 16 of 17 boxers ng Thailand in the finals and they got 14 gold medals out of the 17. So mukhang may irregularities yata,” cited Manalo.
“That’s something na we really need to improve on sa sport. Otherwise, baka wala tayo sa Olympics ito after LA 2028. So yung mga ganitong tournaments, nakikita ng IOC yan. So we really have to be careful and that’s what we’re going to express sa World Boxing,” he added.
Manalo argued that Baricuatro could have won a gold medal if not for a crucial third round scoring that favored the Thai.
“We have an inquiry here dahil hindi pwedeng maulit yung mga ganitong, may blatant na bad decisions,” said Manalo whose boxers finished with a gold, three silvers and six bronzes.
“Kay Baricuatro, kailangan ko lang ipadala sa world boxing yung 3rd round. We lost the 3rd round, 2-3. Na-deductionan yung tie in the last round. Bakit na-deductionan? Kasi kumakapit na.
Wala nang lakas, kaya na-deductionan. Paano man nanalo sa scorecard?,” he added.
Manalo such errors have no place in boxing – a sport that is endangered of getting removed to the Olympics beyond 2028.
“Ipapadala ko lang yun sa World Boxing, napaka-blatant na judging error yun. Inexcusable yun. So unless, you’re either corrupt or you’re incompetent. Which is walang lugar dito yun,” he stressed.
