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Jobless former boxing champs set to get monthly incentives

Ivan Saldajeno
By Ivan Saldajeno

PUERTO PRINCESA—We have heard numerous stories of Filipino former world boxing champs whose lives went on a downward spiral after they retired because of financial problems.

Beginning next year, change is about to happen.

The Games and Amusements Board and the Naris Singhwangcha Foundation will hand out monthly allowances to retired pugs who once held a world title.

Singhwangcha, who acts as the Asian Boxing Federation supervisor, and GAB chairman Baham Mitra signed a memorandum of agreement on Friday night at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum during the Battle of Palawan: Night of Champions, which was the key highlight of the 55th OPBF Convention, to formalize the implementation of the incentive program.

In the said program, retired boxers who once became holders of a WBC, IBF, WBA, or WBO title but do not have a stable means of income will receive PHP3,000 monthly allowance beginning Jan. 1.

"It's from my personal money," Singhwangcha told Dugout Philippines. "I'm willing to help former champions who have no jobs and income now. We need to help them have a better life."

On how they can avail the incentives, he said, "All they need is to register to GAB."

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