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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Boxer Joan Imperial appealed to the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to lift his six-month suspension that stemmed from his appearance in unauthorized fights in Thailand in 2015.
The Malinao, Aklan-born boxer told Panay News he has yet to serve his suspension.
“Magsa-start lang iyon (suspension) kapag nakakuha na ako ng bagong GAB license,” said Imperial. “Sa ngayon hindi pa ako nakakakuha dahil iyong budget namin sapat lang sa pang-araw-araw ng pamilya ko.”
Imperial and fellow Filipino boxers Angelito Merin and Lionel Legada, an Ilonggo, appeared in three fight cards in Thailand in February and March 2015. The cards were promoted by Andy Kim of the AK Promotions.
Imperial first fought and lost to Korean Young Gil Bae for the WBO interim Asia light flyweight belt on Feb. 13. He then scored victories over Thai boxers Saming Sithachansanguan and Suriyan Sith Kor Phon 1996 on March 4 and 14, respectively.
The matches came into the attention of the GAB after Merin’s manager complained that his boxer fought with a different name in Thailand to evade an earlier six-month suspension against him.
“Napilitan lang naman po ako na lumaban sa Thailand kahit walang pahintulot ng GAB dahil matagal din akong nabakante,” Imperial told Panay News. “Sa boxing lang naman kami umaasa ng aming ikabubuhay.”
Imperial currently works as trucking helper in Muntinlupa City.
“Nakipagsapalaran ako roon sa pag-asang makakaipon kahit papaano, pero wala din namang nangyari dahil binitiwan kami ng manager namin na Koreano,” he said.
A former Philippine Luzon Professional Boxing Association minimumweight champion, the Aklanon boxer now has a 13-6-6 win-loss-draw ring record, with eight wins coming by way of knockout.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa GAB, kay Chair Baham Mitra, sana i-lift na nila iyong suspension ko para po makabalik na ako sa pagboboksing,” said Imperial. “Wala naman po kaming ibang hanapbuhay kundi ito.”/PN
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