Foto

MMA groups uneasy with new commission

The Mixed Martial Arts community are not too sold on the soon-to-be-created Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission (PBCSC), a new commission they believe is not needed since everything is running smoothly.

“Ayaw namin. Kung tatanungin kami, sasabihin namin hindi na ito kailangan dahil maayos naman ang aming kalagayan sa ilalim ng Games and Amusement Board (GAB),” said Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) founding president Alvin Aguilar during his appearance at the weekly Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) “Usapang Sports” at the National Press Club Bldg, in Intramuros, Manila last Thursday.

“Sabi nga, why rock the boat when everything is alright in MMA,” added Aguilar, who also serves as spokesman of the various MMA stakeholders set to be affected by the creation of the new commission by July next year.

Aguilar, also the president of the Wrestling Federation of the Philippines (WFP), said the MMA community is satisfied with the performance of the GAB, headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra.

“The MMA movement is working closely with GAB for the professional conduct of the sport since 2003. Wala kaming problema. They (GAB) are working hard to ensure the safety of both the fighters and promoters,” explained Aguilar.

“All concerns regarding the fighters, promoters, managers and even the ring announcers are being monitored completely by the GAB. Maayos naman lahat,” he added.

The PBCSC is a brainchild of world boxing champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao. It is already expected to take effect next year following the approval by the Senate of the bill calling for the creation of such body with an initial budget of P150 million.

Two resolutions – House Bill No. 6158 authored by Rep. Rogelio D. Pacquiao and House Bill No. 8257 authored by Rep.Enrico Pineda – are also up for approval in the Lower House.

Both resolutions are aimed at creating a new government agency tasked to strengthen the boxing industry and promote the safety and welfare of Filipino boxers.

The sport of mixed martial arts was added to the commission upon the prodding of several lawmakers, who initially refused to support the bill if it’s only for one sport — boxing.

“Malaki ang respeto namin kay Sen. Pacquiao, lalo na sa mga nagawa niya sa boxing. Naging tagapagtaguyod din sya ng maraminn MMA events. Pero naniniwala kami na hindi na kailangan pa ang PBCSC dahil nandyan na ang GAB,” said Agular.

Aguilar even recalled that GAB under Mitra was awarded as “Commission of the Year” in 2017 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) for its good job in professional sports.

Tags: Alvin Aguilar , Filipino boxers , Games and Amusement Board , Manny Pacquiao , Universal Reality Combat Championship , URCC , Usapang Sports