They've had enough.

And six Filipino boxers, including five from Negros Occidental, stood up and made sure the boxing world would take notice.

Dismayed by perceived pro-Thailand decisions in the 24 th Southeast Asian Games boxing competitions, Bago City-born pugs Junie Tizon, Junel Cantancio and Joegin Ladon, Cadiz City's Godfrey Castro and Orlando Tacuyan Jr., who has roots in Bacolod City, “retired” from their respective gold medal matches against Thailand fighters.

Only 2000 Sydney Olympian Larry Semillano, also of Bago City , bravely finished his match with Thai Olympic super lightweight champion Manus Boomjumnong.

It was another futile effort, however, as the Thai prevailed, 10-4, to win the gold medal at the Tumbon Mueangpug Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima , Thailand .

Castro, a bronze medalist in the Asian Games last year, showed up for his flyweight showdown with former world champion Somjit Jongjohor only to raise his hands in the air as a sign of surrender at the start of the first round.

Cantancio also retired at the beginning of the first round of his bantamweight duel with Thailand 's Woorapoj Petchkoom, the same fighter whom Bacoleño Joan Tipon defeated on his way to the Asian Games gold medal last year.

A report from the Philippine contingent said the boxers were under orders from RP chef de mission and Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, deputies Ritchie Garcia and Julian Camacho and boxing head Manny Lopez.

The officials cooked up the plan Wednesday night, following the surprisingly one-sided defeats of the Filipino female boxers in their respective gold medal matches.

Among them was lightweight Mitchel Martinez, a standout from Bacolod and Bago City , who bowed to her Thai opponent, 11-21.

Following Cantancio and Castro's retirement, Taiwanese C.K. Woo, the world amateur boxing president, stepped in and asked the Filipino officials to order the remaining four boxers to continue fighting.

The same report from the Philippine delegation said the proceedings were suspended for nearly 45 minutes as Woo met with the RP contingent's leaders.

Puentevella reportedly said they had to relent to Woo's appeal as they feared sanctions from the world amateur boxing body.

Despite Woo's assurance of a fair shake, the Filipino fighters reportedly continued to get a raw deal, forcing them to retire, although a bit later into their bouts.

Tacuyan, 19, fought tooth and nail against Adi Sailom but the Thai piled up the points in the second round and before the start of the third and final round, prompting another walkout.

Ladon stopped fighting with one minute, 27 seconds to go in the opening round against Pichai Sayota with the Thai up 5-2.

The outcome opened old scars for Ladon, who was reduced to tears in the 2005 SEA Games in Bacolod City after suffering a controversial setback at the hands of Petchkoom.

Ladon's loss at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum on the night of Dec. 3, 2005 was among the three disputed fights of the competition that was cut short when a riotous crowd pelted debris inside the ring to also protest alleged pro-Thai scoring.

Tizon, a middleweight, and light heavyweight Maximino Tabancura also retired after the second round against Suriya Prasathinpimai and Angkhan Chomphuphuang, respectively.

“We wanted to send a message. This was not against the Thai organizers but at the world body that is in charge of the referees and judges who are officiating here,” Puentevella was quoted as saying.

Puentevella claimed similar incidents have been going on for over the decade, adding that the move was meant for the referees and judges to “shape up”.

Lopez, who is also secretary general of the Asian Boxing Federation, said “Our fighters lost their spirit and courage after witnessing what happened to the women's squad last Wednesday. I believe that our boxers did their best and deserve more than the silver medal that they won that night”.

Lopez pointed out that if flyweight Annie Albania had not won by knockout over a Thai boxer, the Philippines could have gone home without a gold.

“We do not want our boxers to be maltreated but we do not want our country to be dishonored,” Lopez said.

All told, the Filipinos ended up with one gold, 12 silvers, and two bronzes in boxing. The Philippines posted an 8-gold 4-silver 2-bronze output in Bacolod City two years ago.*CPT

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