Boxing aficionados have urged the Games and Amusement Board and managers to provide insurance and social security benefits for boxers under their wings.
This was after another young boxing prospect, Axiel Van Dignos, died of head injuries following a sparring session recently at a gym in Makati.
The 18-year-old professional boxer from Cavite collapsed after a sparring session and was comatose before he passed away several days later on Sept. 4.
A representative of Ospital ng Makati said Dignos died of head injury due to internal brain bleeding.
In a social media post, the Games and Amusement Board condoled with the family and assured the boxing community of its continuous help.
“Makaasa po kayo sa patuloy at pinaigting na paglilingkod at pagkalinga ng aming tanggapan sa mga boksingero at iba pang mga propesyunal na manlalarong Pilipino,” said the GAB in a statement.
Boxing stakeholder Art Advincula said the GAB should find a way to oblige boxing managers to provide life insurance for their boxers.
“Kagaya niyan, namatay ng dahil sa praktis, eh di sana khit P50,000 or P100,000, my makukuha ‘yung pamilya ng namatayan na boxer at makatulong sa mga gastusin nila o my pampalibing mn lang,” he said in reply to the GAB’s post.
“Sana ipasok rin ‘yung SSS, PHILHEALTH at PAG IBIG mga binipisyo nang mga atleta at boksingero dito sa Pinas,” added Richard Rosales.
The GAB said Dignos acquired his pro boxing license only last April 22 and fought his only professional fight on June 18. He was preparing for his second bout in October when the accident happened.
There have been a lot of calls for boxing handlers and the GAB to regulate sparring sessions which usually have caused the majority of related incidents.