The Games and Amusements Board is planning to raise an appeal regarding the World Boxing Association’s decision to strip Manny Pacquiao of its super welterweight crown.
GAB Chairman Baham Mitra penned a two-page appeal letter addressed to WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza to ask the restoration of Senator Manny Pacquiao’s WBA Welterweight Championship belt, which he had won against Keith Thurman on July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Last month, the WBA decided to strip the title of Senator Pacquiao and name him “Champion in Recess” due to his inactivity in the boxing ring.
The WBA’s Championships Committee also announced the replacement for the eight-division world boxing champion. Cuban boxer Yordenus Ugas is now the current WBA Welterweight Super Champion.
As the agency mandated by law to regulate and supervise professional boxing and other combat sports in the country, GAB requested the WBA to shed light on the matter involving the revocation of Pacquiao’s WBA belt.
“GAB is mandated by law to champion the rights of every Filipino professional boxer at all times. That is why we are appealing to WBA to reconsider its decision,” said Mitra.
Citing Rule C.22 and C.23 of the WBA Rules on reverting a ‘Champion in Recess’ to his former status, GAB would like to assist Pacquiao to return from being champion in recess to the status of a full champion.
“We are studying the WBA Rules and we want to assist our good Senator who may have to fight next. Also, we want to know from our partners in the WBA what particular documentation that we must have to comply with as WBA requirements, to regain the WBA belt, in case our Pinoy boxing champ opts to,” said Mitra.
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