ABAP in rebuild mode

MANILA, Philippines —  The constantly changing weight divisions in Olympic-style boxing competitions are a challenge for ABAP to adapt to conditions where fighters move up or down the scales to find their comfort levels.

“We’ve been greatly affected by the change in weight classes at the Asian Games and Olympics,” said ABAP president Marcus Manalo. “For example, the weight classes of the three medals we won at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (Carlo Paalam at 52kg, Nesthy Petecio at 57kg and Eumir Marcial at 75kg) were not at the recent Asian Games. Many of our good boxers are in the small weight classes. But now, the lowest weight class for men is 55kg then the next is 60kg then 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg and 90+kg. We don’t have too many options from 70kg and above for men and then 60kg and above for women. So we need to promote these weight classes through competitions.”

In Nagoya, the Philippine boxing team registered seven wins and six losses. Aira Villegas (51kg) and Riza Pasuit (54kg) failed to notch a single win. Junmilardo Ogayre (60kg), Norlan Petecio (70kg), Villegas, Pasuit and Nesthy Petecio (60kg) were eliminated via 5-0 shutouts. Paalam (55kg) made it to the final but lost on a disputed 3-2 decision to Japan’s Rui Yamaguchi. Eumir Marcial (80kg) withdrew because he couldn’t fly in from Los Angeles in time to acclimatize and submit to pre-Asian Games tests.

“We have to rebuild,” said Manalo. “Focus on grassroots development through local competitions and education programs for coaches and technical officials. Coach Kevin (Smith) will take a more active role moving forward. Asian Games and the preparations were more of an observation period for him.”

Manalo said for the 2028 LA Olympics, the top fighters intended for qualification are still Paalam, Marcial and Villegas. “I have yet to sit down with Nesthy about her plans,” he noted. “The main question is the commitment to the daily grind that is required of Olympic-level athletes. As for training, we have to get boxers to be very good at finding their range and landing punches from distance or through counterpunching. That’s the winning style now.”