MANILA – The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has called on the World Boxing Association (WBA) for an explanation on why Manny Pacquiao was stripped of his super welterweight belt.
GAB chairman Baham Mitra even said on Wednesday that his agency appealed with the WBA to give the championship back to Pacquiao.
“GAB is mandated by law to champion the rights of every Filipino professional boxer at all times. That is why we are appealing to WBA to reconsider its decision,” Mitra said.
Pacquiao won the WBA welterweight super title on July 21, 2019 (Philippine Time), but he has never got to defend the belt since then.
Pacquiao took the entire 2020 off in boxing mainly due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, eventually putting much of his focus on his senatorial job.
However, on Jan. 30, the WBA decided to strip Pacquiao of the title and upgrade the status of then regular champ Yordenis Ugas of Cuba to super champ, eventually naming Pacquiao a "champion in recess."
In a letter sent to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday, Mitra implied that GAB has been looking at the professional boxers' health and safety especially amid the pandemic, including Pacquiao.
"One of our mandates is to look after the overall welfare of our professional boxer-licensees, one of whom is Mr. Pacquiao," Mitra wrote.
He also sought clarification on the WBA Rule C. 22, which became the basis on Pacquiao's championship status, citing a clause which states: "The [WBA championships] committee may select official contenders who will fight for an interim title under Rules C.22- 24."
Mitra then sought for possibly an immediate bout between the 42-year-old Pacquiao and the 34-year-old Ugas for the title should the WBA stand by its ruling.
“We are studying the WBA rules and we want to assist our good senator who may have to fight next. Also, we want to know from our partners in the WBA what particular documentation that we must have to comply with as WBA requirements, to regain the WBA belt, in case our Pinoy boxing champ opts to,” Mitra added. (PNA)
