GAB fears mismatch for Manny vs Hoya

Philstar.com - Thursday, September 25

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. - Jess Diaz (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

walang kwenta talaga ang sistema natin. they don't even know how to take care of our athletes and now they're making this big decision. too late..

hayaan nalang nila, malay natin magdonate si manny ng $1m sa sports commision. haha!

i dont know what to feel for this... grabe talaga...

bokkins wrote:walang kwenta talaga ang sistema natin. they don't even know how to take care of our athletes and now they're making this big decision. too late..

hayaan nalang nila, malay natin magdonate si manny ng $1m sa sports commision. haha!

tama ka sir.........

gobyerno talaga natin talamak na............

or baka kaya sila naging concern bigla is that malaki ang money involve. kailangan may mapagkakakitaan. ibang klase talaga! unbelievable. haha!

hmmmm.. ayaw ba nila makita matalo si Manny Pacquiao?!

wala naman masama kung kahit one time lang matalo naman sya noh?!

lagi na lang syang nananalo e ... kaya tuloy lalong "sumisikat" ..

loosing, failures often results with humility. if handled properly, they could be good training to have a good character.

panalo yan. ala mike tyson.

pag natalo daw si pacquiao magre resign na sya.. concentrate na dw sha sa politics

there ARE more pressing matters that concern our country; the innocent lives being lost in the war in mindanao; or something closer to home, the worsening living conditions due to inflation; this guy stands to gain, even if he loses...

cloud20 wrote:there ARE more pressing matters that concern our country; the innocent lives being lost in the war in mindanao; or something closer to home, the worsening living conditions due to inflation; this guy stands to gain, even if he loses...

yeah right tama ka jan sir... iba na ang pangalan ni pacquiao ngayon...dati nakikita ko lang yan along recto nagjo jogging... when i was 16 years old...

i second the motion... im so frustrated when it comes to our government. trabaho lang tayo for our family.

Gusto siguro nilang mapagkakitaan..pag may pera, sigurado, di nila pipigilan yan. Malaki kasi ang kikitain ni manny dito. Gusto nila ng slice of the pie...

Those stupid clowns are at it again...

Pag ntalo si pacman ok lng kc maliit sya pero pag si delahoya mtalo nkakahiya...mlamang rematch n nmn to HAyyyyy paulit ulit n lng pera pera

Buhain is not a boxing analyst or expert to say it's a mismatch. An old, small, feather fisted stevie forbes bruised OLDH's pretty face. Imagine what Manny can do. Go PACMAN

im a boxing fan..either of them wins is ok for me..
this is the fight of the century..

Pag nanalo si Pacman palagay ko meron anting-anting..