GAB says Barriga, Suarez are now professionals

The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) now considers Mark Anthony Barriga and Charly Suarez professionals.

GAB commissioner Aquil Tamano said yesterday that both boxers should now secure licenses from the professional sports regulatory body after Barriga and Suarez signed a five-year contract with the Aiba Pro Boxing League.

Tamano said they’ve written a letter informing the two on the GAB’s stand and copy-furnished the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines.

“Under the law, if you’re getting paid to fight abroad, you should get a license from the GAB. It’s our mandate to enforce it for the safety of the boxers,” Tamano told the Inquirer.

Barriga, a light flyweight who won the gold in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games in Burma, and the 26-year-old Suarez, champion in the 2011 SEAG, saw action in the APB last month.

Both boxers will also skip the 28th Southeast Asian Games this year.