BOXING is one of the Philippines’ top sports with hundreds of boxers, trainers, and cutmen earning their living through this industry but, was hardly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Currently, most of them are taken care of by their promoters.
For former world champion-turned boxing promoter Gerry Peñalosa, this pandemic has a big effect on the fighters because, if they don’t have a fight then they don’t have money, and they have families to feed.
Brico Santig and Juan Ramon ‘Monju’ Guanzon of the Highland-Guanzon Boxing Promotions share the same sentiments lamenting that the pandemic also has a huge effect on the industry particularly to them as promoters as well as to the boxers and their families.
“Ang ginawa ko noong una ay nagbibigay ako ng allowances nila pero noong tumagal iyong pandemic naubusan narin tayo. Kasi wla naman tayong ibang negosyo other than boxing pero ginagawan parin ng paraan. [At first, what I did was to provide them (boxers) allowances but, when the pandemic
further extended, we run out of fund. But, even then, we tried to find ways because we don’t have other business than boxing],” Santig stressed.
“Kaya ang ibang boxers nagsa-sideline. Iyong iba sumasama sa karagatan para mangisda katulad ni Joepher Montaño - Asian Boxing Federation champion. Si Michael Zulueta naman minsan nag-frontliner. Ang iba naman part-time job, convoy ng gulay, pagsasaka at iba pang mga diskarte. [That’s why other boxers have to do sidelines. Others go out to the sea and go fishing like Joepher Montaño - Asian Boxing Federation champion. Michael Zulueta, on the other hand, works as a frontliner. Meanwhile, others do some part-time jobs, convoys in vegetable delivery, farming and other ways to survive],” he added.
Santig also stressed that some fighters who were unable to go home to their respective provinces just stayed at the gym.
“They are still our responsibility to provide them foods and other needs,” he said. “Recently, I already asked help from former GAB Chairman and co-promoter Guanzon to extend support to Jayr Raquinel and Zulueta since they are near Bacolod City.
Guanzon affirmed that he has assisted international fighters Raquinel and Zulueta as well as provided some allowances to local boxers like Rodel Sioco, Ricky delos Santos, and Herlan Gomez. “I also gave an allowance to our gym coach,” he said.
“At this moment, I could say we can’t do anything. I can’t simply tell the boxers to continue training without assurance of when will be the next fight. The important right now is for them to find extra income for their families,” Guanzon explained.
“We also took care of the government’s assistance of P5,000 per boxer. We are almost done here in Manila, and hope to have it in the provinces next week,” said Santig.
Meanwhile, for Gerrypens Promotions CEO Peñalosa, he treated everyone as family so he makes sure that all are safe and in good hands. “Let’s face this kind of situation with care, stay home and let’s all pray that this pandemic will end soon,” he added.
Santig, on his part, told his boxers that this pandemic is just one of the trials that they will surpass. “After COVID, we will return to business. What’s important is that nobody gets sick and everyone is safe.”
While the conduct of boxing and other contact sports are still prohibited, Santig told his fighters to be patient. “In other countries, holding of this sports is already approved even without an audience, only live TV for promoters to earn at least through pay-per-view. Boxing events in Japan, Thailand, China, and US will restart this July. That’s why I advised the boxers to continue training and stay fit but, maintain social distancing,” he stressed.
Amid this pandemic, Guanzon told the fighters to be thrifty during this uncertain times. “We don’t know when this thing ends. Everyone is experiencing hardships not only in this industry but, everywhere,” he said.