Saving amateur boxing

The danger of boxing being removed from the Olympic Games is very real. Up to this point, it has not been included in the calendar for Los Angeles in 2028. The defrocking of the former AIBA after decades of proven match-rigging left no one to conduct the international competitions themselves. The newly-formed World Boxing is still in its infancy, and has yet to earn the International Olympic Committee’s favor.

But there is a groundswell of effort from various groups to save amateur boxing. Among those campaigning for the restoration of the sport is the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines or ABAP. In a candid interview with this writer for The Star and DWAN 1206 AM, ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo confirmed how real the danger of boxing’s elimination looms.

“World Boxing is already conducting tournaments, and the IOC is observing, Manalo explained. “They are also looking at referees and judges, and how they conduct membership. This is much more complicated than before.”

ABAP is currently conducting a mighty effort to search for new talent nationwide, and looks forward to the inclusion of girls boxing in national youth events like the Palarong Pambansa. This seems only logical since our two latest Olympic boxing medalists, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, are female. The discussion to include them in collegiate leagues like the UAAP and NCAA is also forthcoming. ABAP is also upgrading the training of local coaches, so as to keep youth athletes in the provinces before bringing them to Metro Manila for training with the national pool. This grassroots movement is aimed at greatly expanding the talent pool for future international competitions.

Manalo says the new organization must also do deeper background checks on all technical officials so as to avoid the errors of the past. It would be pointless to just recycle referees and judges with a poor track record. But it’s on the way. World Boxing is also going to use artificial  intelligence to assist referees and judges, through the aid of sensors in the boxing gloves and cameras in every corner of the ring. There may also be adjustments to give time for review of critical rounds, which may decide the outcome of a match.

In the end, complete house cleaning is absolutely necessary for boxing to restore its honor in the Olympic movement.