Vargas upbeat over boxing’s progress

The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) is excited over the retention of the sport in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a memorandum of understanding was signed between Asian Boxing and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo said this event is a step forward in making sure boxing will be present in the Summer Games.

ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas signed the document as the representative of Asian Boxing (AB) president Pichai Chunhavajira of Thailand.

“This collaboration between OCA and AB will help grow the sport in the region and preserve the future of boxing in the Olympic program,” Manalo said.

Also present in the MoU signing was OCA director general Husain Al Musallam.

Vargas is optimistic that with the backing of OCA, boxing will make the final roster of sports for the 2028 L.A. Olympics.

After all, 10 of the Philippines’ 18 medals in the Summer Games came from boxing.

“Asia is behind the Olympic Council of Asia and we thank you very much for supporting boxing. It is our dream to bring boxing to the Los Angeles Olympics,” Vargas said.