Liranza back to boost pugs’ SEAG bid

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) got a big boost recently when Cuban Sports Ministry or Cubadeportes gave the go-signal for Cuban national coach Raul Fernandez Liranza to return to the Philippines and assist local coaches in training the national pool of boxers.

This was bared by Cuban Ambassador Jorge Rey Jimenez and ABAP president Manny Lopez who, as early as last year’s Athens Olympics, has made representations to the Cuban government for the services of Liranza.

"The return of Raul will be a big boost in our preparations for the coming Southeast Asian Games which the country will host in November. And with him around, we could also augment our ongoing program for the 2006 Qatar Asian Games and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing," said Lopez.

Liranza, whose Cuban wards —heavyweight Odlanier Solis Fuente and light flyweight Bhartelemy Varela —bagged the gold medals in the Athens Games, has had stints with the national pool in 1995-96 and 1999-2000 and according to Lopez, his familiarity with the Filipino pugs and the locals’ familiarity with him will make a good team.

It will be recalled that Liranza was instrumental in polishing the game of Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco who won a silver medal in the Atlanta Olympics.

Lopez said that as early as Sept. 17 of last year, he has requested the Philippine Sports Commission and Cuban Boxing Federation for a Cuban consultant and that the ABAP proposal was approved by then PSC chair Eric Buhain.

According to Lopez, Liranza will fly to Manila as soon as his contract of service is signed by representatives from ABAP, the Philippine Sports Commission and Cubadeportes.