GAB TO SUSPEND 4 PINOY BOXERS FOR FIGHTING IN SINGAPORE WITHOUT PERMIT

CONTROVERSIAL FIGHTERS. Promoter Arvind Lalwani (with cap) shown with the four Filipino boxers – (from left) Gilbert Donasales, Krisna Limbaga, Jonel Borbon and Arnold Garcia, who all fought but lost in Singapore last August 21.

By LITO DELOS REYES

FOUR Filipino professional boxers will be suspended for fighting in Singapore last August 21 without the permission of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

They are super featherweight Jonel Borbon (2W-20L-2D) of Camarines Norte, light heavyweight Arnold “D Machete” Garcia (2W-5L-0D) of Lanao del Norte, super welterweight Gilbert Donasales (6-12-1) of Laguna and super featherweight Krisna Limbaga (0W-1L-0D) of Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.

“Like the previous boards, we intend to suspend them for six months,” said GAB Chairman Abraham Khalil “Baham” Mitra in his text message.

It is the first reported case of an “illegal fight” under the new administration of Mitra.

All four of them were beaten by their opponents at the Scape, Ground Theatre 2 Orchard in Singapore.

The 26-year old Borbon was knocked out in the third round by Singapore’s Muhamad “The Chosen Wan” Ridhwan (4W-0L-0D) in the main event, while 39-year old Garcia was also pummelled to submission in the opening round only by Rafi Majid (3W-0L-0D).

The 27-year old Limbaga, who was making her pro debut was also stopped in just 33 seconds of the first round of a scheduled 6-rounder by Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) Inter-Continental female super featherweight champion Nurshahidah “The Sniper” Roslie (4W-0L-0D).

It was only Donasales, who was able to finish his 4-rounder bout. But he also lost by a unanimous decision against a debuting Will “The Kill” Chope (1-0-0).

It was not yet clear on how the four Filipinos were able to enter Singapore without the GAB permit to fight.

The boxing event dubbed as “Singapore vs. Philippines”was presented by the Singapore Fighting Championship with Arvind Lalwani of Juggernaut Fight Club as the promoter.

It was commissioned by the Singapore Police Licencing and Regulatory Department.