State boxing panel
meeting to review rules
The Hawaii State Boxing Commission is scheduled to review rules at its regular meeting tomorrow. Commissioner Eiichi Jumawan said it's just a coincidence the April 15 professional card at the Sheraton Waikiki ended in controversy about officiating and rules interpretations.
"We were already looking at making sure our rules are coordinated with those throughout the country," Jumawan said. "The last time we really took a close look was in the late '80s or early '90s. We want to make sure our rules are in line with the ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions)."
Gary Gittelsohn's problem isn't Hawaii's boxing rules, but how they were enforced last month.
Gittelsohn, the manager for Brian Viloria, was infuriated by what he called incompetent officiating by veteran referee Abraham Pacheco in Viloria's main event TKO over Valentin Leon.
Gittelsohn remains bothered by Pacheco not stopping the fight earlier than the eighth round, after Viloria had knocked down Leon seven times. He also questions Pacheco's ability to call a fight because of unclear signaling.
"Pacheco stays way out of the action and appears to not be prepared to stop a fight at the correct time," said Gittelsohn, who said he has reviewed the tape with other boxing officials.
Pacheco called Gittelsohn "a fool" a day after the fight after Gittelsohn criticized him, and Gittelsohn said Viloria would never fight in a ring with Pacheco in it again. The 62-year-old referee was kind to Gittelsohn in his comments Saturday but said he doesn't plan to retire in the near future.
"I have no ill will to Gittelsohn. Any referee or official has to accept criticism. I have no hard feelings. He's protecting his fighter," Pacheco said. "But I have to call it the way I see it."
Gittelsohn also said commission members should not voice support for Pacheco, as Jumawan and others have done, prior to a thorough review.
"It's been brought to my attention they've put a protective blanket around Pacheco. That's unfortunate," Gittelsohn said Saturday. "This isn't personal, but I would think the commission would consider it its duty to do some careful analysis first."
Jumawan said the commission does plan to review the tape, but did not know yesterday if a copy would be available for tomorrow.
He said some rules that may be addressed include what happens when a head-butt ends a fight and if a fighter can be saved by the bell at the end of the last round.
Tomorrow's meeting at the Kamamalu Building at 1010 Richards Street is open to the public.
Punchlines: Jumawan, whose term as a commissioner concludes at the end of next month, has been approached about becoming the commission's executive officer; June Kamioka, who holds the post now, is doing so in an interim capacity and has told reporters she has no long-term interest in the position. But Jumawan said he would only be interested if he could do it as a part-time job, without involvement in other state regulatory agencies. Kamioka's job includes running five state boards and commissions. ... Viloria's next opponent has not been secured, Gittelsohn said. The fight's location has been set though, a 12-round ESPN-televised main event in July in Beverly Hills, Calif. ... Viloria and Gittelsohn visit the White House on May 15.