'Mafia' behind SEA Games boxing brouhaha?

WERE the controversial final boxing bouts during the 23rd Southeast Asian Games held at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City the handiwork of the so-called "boxing mafia?"

Talks started to mill around alleging that some boxing judges were given fatty amounts prior to the championship matches last Saturday to ensure a victory.

Eric Loretizo, Bacolod Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (BaSoc) secretary-general, was quick in denying the allegation.

"It's more speculation than truth," he said.

He added that allegation on the mafia's presence is always present in any sporting event.

But if Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon is to be believed, some foreign boxers earned points even when they were only punching the air.

The governor, who watched some of the games, said some judges scored for a favored country even when there is no direct hit.

Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed they were cheated in some of the boxing, athletics and weightlifting games.