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| Manny Pacquiao is now the vice president of the IBA, which two years ago was denounced by the IOC. Viva Promotions (file photo) |
PARANAQUE--Philippine Olympic Committee President Bambol Tolentino said that he informed the newly elected International Boxing Association vice president, Manny Pacquiao, about the risks of accepting the executive post.
The organization was stripped of recognition from the International Olympic Committee in 2023 due to various issues, such as corruption.
"Sinabihan ko siya, 'Sir, medyo hindi kakaiba yang IBA. Hindi yan recognized ng IOC. Yan yung dating AIBA (Amateur International Boxing Association). Yan yung kinick out ng IOC. Ingat lang. We cannot support that kasi hindi na recognized ng IOC ngayon,'" the concurrent Tagaytay mayor told reporters at the sidelines of the announcement that both the POC and Philippine Sports Commission will give incentives to the medalists of the Asian Youth Games.
Both Tolentino and PSC chairman Pato Gregorio said on Monday in a press conference at the East Ocean Restaurant here that the gold medalists will receive PHP750,000 each--PHP500,000 from PSC and another PHP250,000 from POC--the silver medalists will receive PHP450,000 each (PHP300,000 and PHP150,000), and the bronze medalists will receive PHP175,000 each (PHP100,000 and PHP75,000).
POC secretary general Wharton Chan added that all the medalists will also get brand new iPhone 17s courtesy of new sports betting partner SportsPlus.
Tolentino met with Pacquiao on Wednesday night during the Thrilla In Manila 50th Anniversary boxing event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, although Tolentino was there as part of Eumir Marcial's corner during his now-controversial bout against Eddy Colmenares.
Two IBA-sanctioned bouts were part of the said fight card.
Tolentino said that it is now up to Pacquiao on how he will approach his new role now that he has already been warned of the IBA's status with the IOC.
"Nasa kanya na yun kung papaano niya iha-handle doon. Basta kami, we follow the IOC rules," Tolentino further said.
Following the revocation of IBA's IOC recognition, the newly founded World Boxing became the official international federation for Olympic-style boxing with the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines as one of its charter members.
