Baricuatro eyes strong SEAG debut

The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) has high hopes for Jay Baricuatro as he makes his Southeast Asian (SEA) Games debut in Thailand.

ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo said he is confident the Cebu native will be as good as advertised after his impressive performance in the World Boxing Cup in Kazakhstan last July.

Baricuatro, 23, will be competing in the men’s 48-kilogram division and is part of the national team led by Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and Eumir Marcial in the 33rd SEA Games from 9 to 20 December.

“I’m confident with the entire team but maybe the younger ones are more excited because they’re really looking forward to this opportunity,” Manalo said.

“He (Baricuatro) also won a silver medal in the World Boxing Cup in Kazakhstan in June. He has a lot of potential.”

Baricuatro got a silver medal in the men’s 50kg division of the World Boxing Cup, losing to Kazakh boxer Sanzhar Tashkenbay via unanimous decision.

He even competed in the first-ever World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England where he lost to Martin Molina of Spain in the Round of 16 via split decision.

The Philippines looks to surpass the four gold medals it won in Cambodia in 2023.

For Manalo, the Filipino pugs have to punch hard to win the judges’ favor, especially against the home bets.