GAB Chairman Richard Clarin Meets with Filipino Boxers, Coaches at Highland Gym in Thailand

BANGKOK, Thailand — Determined to supervise and oversee the boxing scene for Filipino boxers while competing in the Kingdom of Thailand, GAB Chairman Attorney Richard Clarin visited Filipino boxers, coaches and promoters at the Highland Boxing Gym, and talked to Thai Boxing Authorities here in Bangkok.

A native of Bulacan, Clarin met and talked with the Pinoy Award-winning Promoter Brico Santig, director of the Highland Boxing Gym, the active man of boxing staging high-profiled shows in the Land of Smiles, many of his events featuring Filipino boxers.

Importantly, the chairman talked directly with the Filipino warriors fighting in Thailand this coming Wednesday, January 25, in the televised Highland-Maxpower joint promotion at the luxurious and fun SpacePlus Night Club, RCA Plaza in Bangkok.

In that regard, the chairman talked with promising 23-year-old Bacoleño boxer Herlan Gomez (5-1, 2 KO’s), as the Negros Occidental fighter is scheduled for action against tough-as-nails Phetubol Sor.Bangkhur.

Gomez’ rumble promises to be an exciting non-title 6-chapter clash in the bantamweight division.

Attorney Clarin also shared words with strong-as-an-oak Filipino 140-pounder Raymond Yanong (11-7-1, 9 KO’s), who also hails from Negros Occidental.

The experienced Yanong who will clash hard against really young, undefeated and dangerous Middle Kingdom combatant LeQuan Wang (7-0, 4 KO’s) for the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super Light.

LeQuan is a well-trained young gun, full of confidence. Raymond, more battle-tested, more ring savvy. Who will claim the win?

In fact, Yanong is one of the featured clashes, his 10-rounder against LeQuan Wang, scheduled to be televised live to China on China Central TV.

Earlier in the day, the man at the helm of GAB participated in a press conference promoting January 25th’s show.

In that an entertaining event, Clarin stressed the importance of safety and health for Filipino boxers taking part in fighting matches in the Kingdom of Thailand and elsewhere.

“The safety and the wellbeing of our Filipino boxers are of paramount importance and concern to us,” he said to the audience. “We need to make sure that all efforts are put together to guarantee the safety of all our fighters.”

On that regard, Clarin met with his Thailand counter-part senior man of boxing as well as an old friend of the Philippines, Mr. Naris Singwancha as the chairman sees the need for close cooperation and communication not only with the Boxing authorities here in Thailand, but in every country a Filipino boxer fights.

“However, not all countries regulate boxing directly from a mandate of the government, established from a law. Some commissions in some countries are indeed private boxing commissions. That is a challenge that needs to be stressed.”

In addition, the GAB leader shared time and thoughts with China’s top promoter Liu Gang, director of the successful Maxpower Promotions, talked to Korean excecutive Won Kim, secretary general of WBA Asia, with veteran Thai coach/promoter Supanat Chanram, and with Royal Thai Army General Damrong Simakajornboon, a high-ranking executive at WBC Asia.

The meetings and talks are believed to be of importance, bearing in mind that when fighting abroad Filipino boxers must be respected and dutifully being taken care of, at all moments during their stay abroad, no matter if their fight is a high-profiled title match or a 4 rounder non-title battle.

Tuesday morning, Richard Clarin – an alumnus of the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila – will attend the official weigh-in ceremony for the Filipino boxers; then, on Wednesday, he’ll attend the fight show as an honor VIP guest visiting the Kingdom.

Wednesday’s show will air live in Thailand, as well as in Japan and China. However, fans outside of those countries may watch on the promoter’s YouTube channel, as well as in the Facebook page of FightnewsAsia and the page of Highland Boxing Promotions.

“We owe all to our blessed boxers. We answer to them. They are the stars. Without them, there are coaches, no promoters, no shows. We need to do our best for them,” said GAB Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin during his short, but meaningful visit to the Kingdom of Thailand.