The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) expressed elation over the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to include boxing in the list of sports that will be played in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo told DAILY TRIBUNE that the looming recognition of World Boxing will extend the Olympic dream of Filipino boxers, especially Olympians Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan. Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam and Aira Villegas.

For one, Petecio, who will be 36 in the next Summer Games, stated her determination to make an Olympic return and give the country its first gold medal in boxing.

The same goes for Paalam and Villegas while Bacyadan and Marcial remain doubtful as they also dabble in kickboxing and professional boxing ranks, respectively.

“Obviously, this is excellent news for the entire boxing community,” Manalo said in a short message.

“This is something that World Boxing, where ABAP is a founding member, has envisioned since its formation. It’s great that the boxers will continue to pursue their Olympic dreams and benefit from all the opportunities that go along with being an Olympic sport.”

In a report from Greece, IOC president Thomas Bach announced that boxing will be included in the Olympic program.

Bach said the IOC’s Executive Board approved including boxing on the 2028 program after the IOC recognized World Boxing to oversee the sport at the Olympics, ending years of divisions over the way the sport is run.

The decision still needs to be rubber-stamped by a full IOC Session of about 100 members later this week, but that is expected to be a formality.

The IOC stepped in to organize the boxing tournaments at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the Paris Olympics last year after breaking with the Russian-led International Boxing Association over financial, governance and ethical concerns.

Bach had warned that boxing’s national federations needed to find a new and “reliable” international partner if it wanted to be included at the 2028 Games.

Last month, the IOC provisionally recognized World Boxing as the body to oversee the sport at future Games.

“I am very confident that the session will approve it so that all the boxers of the world then have certainty that they can participate in the Olympic Games LA 2028 if their national federation is recognized by World Boxing,” Bach said on Monday.