7 Pinays to vie in world boxing tilt

The Philippines will be represented by seven fighters at the fifth World Women’s Championships in Ningbo City, Zhejiang province, China, on Nov. 22-29 and national coach Roel Velasco said the other day that while the competition will be stiff, the Pinays aren’t intimidated by the odds.

Over 200 female boxers from 44 countries are expected to participate in the event with a stipulated age range of 17 to 34. Bouts will be held in 13 weight classes from pinweight (46 kilograms) to heavyweight (over 86 kilograms).

The country’s Magnificent 7 are pinweight Josie Gabuco, 20, lightflyweight Alice Kate Aparri, 23, flyweight Annie Albania, 24, lightbantamweight Analiza Cruz, 24, bantamweight Redelyn Digmayo, 19, featherweight Ronijen Sofla, 23, and lightwelterweight Mitchel Martinez, 32.

Heading the cast is Martinez, a southpaw who took a pair of bronze medals as a lightweight at the World Championships in 2005 and 2006. She also claimed a gold at the 2005 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila.

Another medal prospect is Albania, the only Filipino fighter – male or female – to bag a gold at the SEA Games in Thailand last year. She was the sole winner of 13 Filipinos who fought in the finals and did it the hard way, knocking out local favorite Hansa Kadeewong with an overhand right in the first round.

Aparri is considered a medal contender, too. The University of Baguio fighter claimed a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships and could be in line for the gold in Ningbo.

Also in contention are Gabuco and Digmayo, fresh from impressive finishes at the National Open. Gabuco of Palawan captured the gold in the pinweight division and Digmayo of Bago City, the silver in the bantamweight class at the National Open. Gabuco also won the gold at the Sir Lanka Invitationals.

Six of the seven Ningbo-bound fighters saw action in tune-up bouts at the Cantada Sports Center in Taguig last weekend. Martinez trounced 16-year-old upstart Nesthy Petecio of Davao City, 16-7. Aparri decisioned Gabuco, 13-11. Albania forced two standing eight-counts on Maryjoy Cacal, 18, before the referee stopped it on a 15-0 score at 1:27 of the second round. Digmayo upset Cruz, 6-0, as the 2005 Asian Championships silver medalist from Occidental Mindoro appeared to be slowed down by an injury in her right leg.

Petecio, a gold medalist in this year’s National Open, showed promise as he survived a standing eight-count in the first round to push Martinez to the limit. Petecio is half Martinez’ age and could be her successor in the national team.

AIBA president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu of Taiwan recently announced he has formally applied for the inclusion of women’s boxing in the 2012 London Olympic calendar. The application was coursed through the Olympic Program Commission, which will submit its recommendation to the IOC Executive Board. A final decision will be made by the Board late next year.

Meanwhile, eight fighters in the male pool also tangled in the Cantada card. Pinweight Michael Paragoso decisioned Jenno Cabungan, 19-10; lightflyweight Albert Pabila outpointed Bill Vicera, 17-15; featherweight Orlando Tacujan, Jr. scored a knockdown in the fourth round and drubbed Jerjhigs Chavez, 20-7; and lightwelterweight Delfin Boholst defeated Adonis Cabalquinto, 13-9.

ABAP secretary-general Roger Fortaleza said the future is bright for Philippine boxing with the emergence of several outstanding teenaged simonpures eight of whom were recently sent to Havana for training with Cuban coach Dagoberto Rojas. He mentioned that from the core will come the fighters to represent the country in the London Olympic qualifiers.

The eight junior fighters were lightflyweights Conrado Tañamor and Jerson Nietes, flyweight Welbeth Loberanis, bantamweight Aston Palicte, featherweights Rolando Tacuyan and Jimboy Vicera and lightweights Mark John Melligen and Glicerio Catolico.