The Philippine boxing team is expecting Paris Olympics bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas to be back in top shape when they head for training camp in Sheffield, United Kingdom in August.

Association of Boxing Association of the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo told DAILY TRIBUNE that the two female boxers are slowly getting back into their groove as they re-integrated themselves with the rest of the national team after several commitments in Metro Manila following their Olympic achievements.

The Filipino pugs will join other nations in the UK camp that will last from 11 to 27 August.

“They (Petecio and Vilegas) will join the training camp in Sheffield and hopefully be in shape for the World Championships,” Manalo said in an online conversation.

“It will be a slow build-up for them, especially with Aira, who is coming off an injury.”

The Philippines will be competing in two major tournaments this year.

First will be the World Boxing Elite Championships in Liverpool, England from 1 to 15 September.

Then, there will be the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December where the Philippines is expected to face stiff competition from the host fighters.

Petecio said her aim this year is to improve on her movement.

“I want to improve at everything from footwork, speed and timing. I want to do my best to get to my peak condition,” said Petecio, who placed second in the Tokyo Olympics.