Business as usual for Pinoy boxers

There will be no drastic changes in the training regimen of Filipino boxers following the announcement that their sport will still be part of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Ricky Vargas said they remain committed to their training as they get the chance to chase their first gold medal in the Summer Games.

Boxing formally kept its spot in the Olympics after the International Olympic Committee granted a provisional recognition to the new body — the World Boxing (WB).

WB will replace the International Boxing Association, which was expelled from the Olympic movement in 2023 due to various concerns over judging and refereeing, financial stability and governance.

“The decision does not change everything. There is still enough time to prepare for boxing,” said Vargas, one of the prime movers behind the formation of WB and the country’s chief of mission to the 2028 Olympic Games.

The national boxing team is slated to undergo a training camp in South Korea in May after a 10-week camp in Baguio City from January to March.

Two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam, and Paris Summer Games bronze medalist Aira Villegas are set to join as they prepare for various tournaments such as the World Boxing Championships which will take place from 4 to 14 September in Liverpool, England and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Games bronze medalist Eumir Marcial is gearing up for a possible professional fight sometime in June or July.

Although the LA Olympics are still years away, Vargas believes boxing’s inclusion will only push the Filipino boxers harder as they fight in future competitions.

After all, the Philippines has yet to win a gold medal in boxing despite clinching 10 out of the country’s 18 medals in the Summer Games.

“Boxing has always been a source of pride for the Philippines, where our athletes have excelled on the world stage. This gives our boxers another chance to chase that elusive Olympic gold, and we know many of them are ready and hungry for the opportunity,” Vargas said.

“We celebrate boxing’s return to the Olympic stage, and beyond that, to continue building a better and stronger boxing community.”