Robbed of Glory - Fightnews Asia

By Nerissa Singgangan

Filipino boxer, Jaysever Abcede was unjustly removed from the WBA (112lbs) world ranking shortly after his victory in Japan this year. After having a glorious breakout year this 2018, Abcede has expressed his dismay and is seeking for answers from the World Boxing Association (WBA).

Abcede has worked tirelessly to hone his skills as a boxer. He jumped on the chance to fight for a belt last May 18, 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand against the then World Boxing Association (WBA) ranked #4 boxer (112 lbs), Yutthan Kaenesa. This was a monumental moment for Abcede’s boxing career after he knocked Kaenesa cold in the second round of the contest. It was Abcede’s childhood dream to become a champion boxer and it finally came into fruition after coveting the WBA Asia (112 lbs) belt that day.

Last August 28, 2018, Abcede won his second consecutive match this year, by defeating Mike Kinaadman in an eight round match which was held in Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines.

After being offered a great opportunity to fight abroad for the second time this year, Abcede and his manager Shiehawy Adnan J. Lalanto, took a chance and flew to Okayama, Japan. In Japan, Abcede proved himself once again as a juggernaut by knocking his opponent Seigo Yuri Akui dead cold in the eighth round. Keeping his three match winning streak alive

Unfortunately, Abcede’s consistency and match wins were not enough for the WBA. Rather than giving Abcede the recognition that he deserves by moving him up in the WBA (112lbs) world ranking, they decided to remove him from last October’s ranking.

According to Brico Santig, a Filipino boxing promoter and international matchmaker, “Sa ibang organization, hindi naman nila tinatangal ang rated boxers nila kapag active, at tinatangal lang unless inactive..”

Boxing is a terribly difficult sport wherein boxers fight not just for glory, but to survive. To deprive a talent such as Jaysever Abcede of an opportunity to take his craft to a world stage sends the wrong message to the grassroots which is bad for the sport of boxing. Therefore, it is pivotal that the WBA respond and act on this issue with the utmost concern and consideration.