The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is shifting its focus to younger, more up-and-coming boxers ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics.
Team Philippines is expected to field a group of younger boxing hopefuls in a bid to qualify for Summer Games. Boxing was confirmed to be a part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, after receiving the green light from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week.
After years of doubt, the IOC finally gave the nod to include the embattled sport in the upcoming edition of the Games.
Speaking to former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala and Jera Sison on their show
Power & Play, ABAP Secretary-General and Executive Director Marcus Manalo spoke about the team’s make up for the next bid for the Summer Olympics.
With former Olympic boxers like medalists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial already advancing in their careers, the NSA is now interested in developing newer talents.
“Among them, ang pinakarealistic to be able to still qualify for the Olympics as of now si Carlo Paalam. Kasi talagang nasa peak pa siya physically. Aira [Villegas] can still qualify again, but you know, we’re also looking at developing yung mga younger boxers,” Manalo said.
“That’s why eto nga, sa mga training camps na meron tayo ngayon internationally, 'di muna natin pinapadala yung mga naging Olympic boxers natin. But we’re investing more on the younger boxers.”
And it’s not just preference for ABAP. But rather, the up-and-coming athletes have also gotten results.
“Last December, we participated in the Asian Championships in Thailand and nakapaguwi tayo ng limang medalya dun, pero wala yung mga Olympians natin dun, 'yung Olympic medalists. So meron tayong mga aabangan na mga bago at batang boxers and we’re very excited for them," said Manalo.
Meanwhile, Manalo and ABAP welcomed the IOC’s decision, especially after they gambled with new federation World Boxing.
“Obviously, it’s perhaps one of the best news that we could have this year para sa Olympic boxing community. Kasi talagang matagal na hinintay ito. This has been years in the making… It started pa, malakas na malakas pa yung aming late President na si Ed Picson,” said Manalo.
“Isa siya sa mga kasama dun sa like-minded individuals who started this movement na ngayon ay naging World Boxing na, na isa nang provisionally recognized international federation ng IOC," he added.
Boxing has been one of the most successful sports for the Philippines in the Olympics with a total of 10 medals across all editions.
In Paris, Petecio and Villegas nabbed two bronze medals to add to Carlos Yulo’s double-gold haul for the Filipinos.