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| Eman Bacosa-Pacquiao's team filed a complaint regarding alleged rabbit punches that Rodelyn Perez struck in Round 2 of their PBF youth lightweight title showdown. Luis Fabregar (file photo) |
MANILA—The camp of Eman Bacosa-Pacquiao called on the Games and Amusements Board to review the rising star boxer's recent loss against Rodelyn Perez over what they thought were illegal punches.
GAB chairman Francisco Rivera confirmed to Dugout Philippines on Saturday that he received a copy of the complaint filed by the team of the second-generation boxer led by his mother, Joanna Bacosa-Dino, who also acts as his manager.
The complaint stemmed from Perez's first knockdown in the second round, where he still launched a couple of shots even though Perez had already touched the canvas, seemingly to the back of the head, before referee Jerold Tomeldan stepped in to begin the eight-count.
A shot to the back of the head before a boxer gets knocked down, known as a "rabbit punch", is illegal in pro boxing rules.
Tomeldan was also dragged into Dino's complaint for letting Perez score the alleged rabbit punches before separating him and Bacosa-Pacquiao.
"We will follow the usual course, meaning that we will provide the respondents the opportunity to be heard. Afterwards, we will resolve the case," Rivera said.
Meanwhile, in what seemed like his response to the complaint, Perez lashed out at Bacosa-Pacquiao's camp in a couple of Facebook posts, saying, "Nakaka-discourage mag-boxing! If hindi kayo marunong tumanggap ng pagkatalo, huwag ka na lang mag-boxing."
The rabbit punch allegation was not the only controversial moment in the said bout, as fans raised their eyebrows at Silvestre Abainza's scorecard that read 75-all.
Despite Perez scoring three knockdowns, including the now-controversial Round 2 attack, Abainza failed to credit one of them.
However, Carlo Baluyut and Oliver Garcia counted all three knockdowns in their own scorecards, giving Perez the close majority decision win.
