Ex-manager denies part in late boxer's fatal bout

KORONADAL CITY – The former manager of late boxer Angelito "Lito" Sisnorio Jr denied involvement in the bout in Bangkok, Thailand, where the fighter died after a match. Jemme Contayosa also said it was unfair for the Games and Amusement Board to blame him for the boxer’s death. "I want to clear my name. It's very unfair. We have no contract. There is no proof to show that I'm his manager," Contayosa said. GAB chair Eric Buhain had said Contayosa would be held liable despite the latter's claim that he had no more ties with the fighter. Sisnorio, 24, was knocked out in the fourth round by Thai fighter Chatchai Sasakul, a former World Boxing Council flyweight champion, on March 30. Several hours after the match, the Filipino boxer fell unconscious went he out for dinner. Doctors at a Bangkok hospital peformed emergency brain surgery to remove a blood clot but the boxer died on March 31. “On December last year, he (Sisnorio) left along with another boxer, Michael Rodriquez, without saying goodbye," added Contayosa, who is also a former president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president in Cotabato. "It's unfair. Tony Comia of the GAB boxing division called me and asked if I have idea about the fight in Thailand . I told him sorry because he is not in my control anymore since December last year," he added. Sisnorio, a former World Boxing Council youth flyweight champion, and Rosario used to live in Contayosa's residence in Kidapawan City with eight other boxers. "When I arrived home, one of my boxers informed me that they left bringing all their belongings. Since then we have had no communication. I'm hurt also because I was the one who handled his career from the start," said Contayosa, who was Sisnorio's manager for four years. He blamed instead Thai boxing officials and promoters for the death of the former World Boxing Council youth flyweight champion. "His fight against former Thai world champion Chatchai Sasakul was a mismatch. The Boxing Commission of Thailand and promoters should be blamed for this. Why they allow him to fight without papers and clearance from GAB?," he Contayosa. The boxing manager also extended his sympathies to the family of the late boxer. "I extend my condolence to the family. I treat him as my son. Lito was a responsible and sincere in his profession. When he became World Boxing Council youth flyweight titleholder last year, there were many promoters and managers who signified interest in him," he added. Contayosa has urged the GAB to strictly impose rules of the boxing commission, especially those who have a fight abroad. "I challenge the office concerned to conduct a full dress investigation and to get those personalities involved. They should furnish a copy to the Bureau of Immigration the list of boxers not allowed to fight abroad to prevent similar cases," he said. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol to lead the repatriation of Sisnorio's body. "She directed me make arrangements and go to Bangkok. I will be leaving, if not tomorrow, on Thursday. She directed me to help the family. The parents already gave me their permission that I will represent them in Thailand. They signed in the special power of attorney," Piñol said. The governor also identified a certain Bong Abrero as contact for the Sisnorio’s fatal last fight. "His manager in Kidapawan City, Cantayosa, did not send him to Bangkok. It's the Games and Amusement Board that will undertake legal matters," Piñol said. Gerry Sisnorio, the boxer's brother family spokesperson, said two agents from the National Bureau of Investigation would accompany the governor to autopsy the body of his brother. "Lito's body will be examined in Bangkok instead in the country. We thank President Arroyo for the latest development in the case of my brother," Gerry said. Lito's mother, Consuelo, 63, has blamed a Japanese promoter in Tokyo where Lito trained for one month before his fight with Sasakul. Meanwhile, the Thai insurance company that covered the boxing match has promised to pay Sisnorio’s family 100,000 baht (roughly P148, 000). Mannypacquiao.ph forum members have also started raising funds for the Sisnorio family, and have raised about P40,000. The GAB has adopted a no-fight policy for Filipino boxers in Thailand until an agreement is sealed between Philippine boxing officials and their Thai counterparts. Sisnorio's at the Memorial Hospital in Bangkok where it will remain until arrangements with embassy officials have been made. -GMANews.TV