Don’t wait for P-Noy to save boxing

The proposal—carried here in the Inquirer —for aspirant boxers to be strictly equipped with proper defensive basics before they could take out a professional license has gained wholehearted support from various sectors.
It’s long overdue, swears international matchmaker Lope Sarreal Jr. whose legendary father managed the career of the great Flash Elorde.
“I bet President Aquino, based on your recommendation, would readily see to the establishment of proper testing centers through the Games and Amusements Board,” says cycling great Jesus Garcia Jr., two-time champion of the multi-staged national cycling marathon, popularly known as the Tour of Luzon.
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Of course, Sarreal is puzzled there has been no response whatsoever from Malacañang regarding the recommendation.
After what had happened to Karlo Maquinto, who lapsed into coma and died following a savage bout in Caloocan City on Jan. 28, Sarreal cries authorities should take emergency measures.
Why?
“Because the lives of countless boxers all over the country are in constant danger, based on what had happened to Maquinto,” Sarreal explains.
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Nandy Charvet, respected civic leader from Mandaluyong, says there’s urgent need for action.
In fact, GAB no longer has to wait for an order from Malacañang, says the sought-after program planner and corporate chief executive.
Charvet says it’s the sane thing to do, so the GAB should not just watch from the sidelines until the next ring death.
Based on its record, the GAB, under the Office of the President, would most likely tarry and look the other way.
This government agency, which supervises prizefighting in the country, could also claim it doesn’t have the budget and personnel to form a fool-proof testing body.
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That, says Jun Sarreal, would be the height of irresponsibility.
“This should not be a problem because there are tested experts waiting to be tapped, there are also ready facilities like the ones at the Elorde Sports Center,” he explains.
Sarreal says he speaks in behalf of his committed sister, Laura Elorde, her daughter-in-law Lisa, and the Elorde brothers Bebot, Johnny and Martin.
Needless to say, other committed boxing people, like Tony Aldeguer in Cebu, would be just too glad to help.
Newspaperman Manny Piñol, former governor of North Cotabato, has called up to pledge support.
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Sorry, but it may not actually be that simple.
Jun Sarreal has bared there evidently are more alarming problems.
“I suspect his manager pushed Maquinto, a last-minute replacement, to go on fighting despite his perilous state because they wanted to preserve his unbeaten record,” Sarreal bares.
Sarreal says he likewise learned that the tragic bout was already Maquinto’s third fight in a span of only three months.
So who will save boxing from these dumb, blood-thirsty managers?
The head of the GAB boxing division, who’s himself a doctor?
To close, the biggest question, based on record incompetence, should be: Who will cure and save the doctor?