Prayers up for Kenneth Egano and his family.
It was an unpleasant sight, and that is understating it.
On Saturday, Saranggani fighter Kenneth Egano fell into a coma and had to be sent to the Imus Doctors Hospital in Cavite. He collapsed inside the ring after his bout with Jason Facularin under Blow by Blow, the boxing program backed by the legend himself and former Philippine senator, Manny Pacquiao.
While Pacquiao has already promised to shoulder all of Egano’s medical expenses, the country’s professional sports regulatory body concluded that the Filipino boxing icon is in no legal trouble after the unfortunate incident.
Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman, lawyer Richard Clarin, explained to Jenny Dongon of News5 how he came up with the decision.
“When I studied everything, even the fight itself, there was no untoward incident that happened. From the fight itself, from the officiating, then after what happened to Kenneth, he was immediately rushed to the hospital.”
The GAB official then deemed the disheartening scenario as a reminder of the harsh realities and the serious risks that come with the combat sport.
“Unfortunate lang talaga, which just goes to show na talagang pinapaalala sa atin na [ang] laban sa boxing, talagang buhay talaga ang itinataya ng boksingero natin,” said Clarin.
Financial obligations over these types of situations mainly falls under the responsibility of the promoter. According to the GAB chairman, he is in constant communication with Pacquiao, who’s ready to provide Egano all the monetary support needed.
“Kapag professional po, talagang nakalagay sa kontrata natin na kapag po may nagyari, for example, sa boxing, the promoter talaga will shoulder [the medical expenses]. Sabi naman ni Manny Pacquiao na talagang sasagutin nila lahat.”
More than paying the medical bills, what’s really important is the recovery of Egano. It would be best to keep on praying for the injured boxer and his family.
(With reports from Jenny Dongon, News5)
(GM)