Lopez continues search for boxing talents nationwide

The search for more boxing greats continues as former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman and Manila Mayor Mel Lopez stepped up his Boxing Development Clinic, in collaboration with the "Grassroots Boxing Development Program" of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP).

"We should search for more boxers, as this is one sport the Filipinos can excel in," said Lopez.

More than 2,000 boys and girls have been undergoing boxing lessons since May this year. Starting with 870 enthusiastic youth at the Tondo Sports Complex, the program has snowballed to 90 chapters nationwide.

"This grassroots training is the second largest in the world after Cuba," said Lopez. "If we keep up the progressive stride, we could be a dominant force in various weight categories in the near future," according to Lopez.

The Manila Age-Group Boxing Program, which Lopez initiated during his incumbency, is the model for the on-going project by ABAP.

The kids are trained by world-class boxers/coaches such as Roger Fortaleza, Mario Tizon, Jackie Trillana, Ernino "Mong" Canal, with Roel Velasco (bronze medalist, 1992 Barcelona Olympics) as head coach.

Lopez had initiated, as former ABAP head, an effective country-wide talent-identification program that resulted in the development of a strong pool of national boxers.