MANILA, Philippines - Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) elite unit coach Roel Velasco said yesterday it is likely the country will be represented by only three fighters at the World Women’s Championships in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Sept. 6-19.
Velasco, a lightflyweight bronze medalist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said the national women’s pool was recently overhauled, striking out seven, retaining six and bringing in six to bring the existing total to 12.
“We’re concentrating only on fighters with medal potentials,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson. “We dropped those who have not shown the attitude or the competency to excel.”
Women’s boxing will be introduced at the Asian Games in Guangzhou this November and the 2012 London Olympics but the weight divisions are limited to only three – flyweight from 48 to 51 kilograms, lightweight 56 to 60 kilograms and middleweight 69 to 75 kilograms.
Velasco said only flyweight Annie Albania, who is in the elite category, qualifies in both the Asian Games and Olympics.
“We brought six rookies into our pool but they’re still quite young, 15 years old and under,” said Velasco. “They have potential. But at the moment, we have no medal prospects in lightweight or middleweight with the retirement of Mitchel Martinez.”
Velasco said Albania, Alice Kate Aparri and Nesthy Petecio are the leading candidates to compete in Barbados. The tournament will feature 10 weight categories, including lightflyweight from 45 to 48 kilograms.
A veteran in the pool, Josie Gabuco, is down with mumps and has been ordered by doctors to rest.
Velasco said the decision on whom to send to Barbados will be made after the MVP Cup on July14-19 at the PICC Forum. The MVP Cup will be participated in by at least 70 fighters from China, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Macau and the Philippines. Medals and a $1,000 cash prize for each gold medal are at stake in seven men’s divisions – 48 kilograms, 51, 54, 57, 60, 64, and 69 – and five women’s classes – 46 kilograms, 48, 51, 54 and 57.
Velasco is assisted by Martinez in coaching the women’s squad. He is also the coach of the elite unit made up of Albania, Charly Suarez, Rey Saludar, Victorio Saludar and Mark Anthony Barriga. Former Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon is Velasco’s assistant in the elite team. Velasco, in turn, reports to ABAP head coach Pat Gaspi.
“We will send our best men and women fighters to the Asian Games where there are no qualifying tournaments,” said Velasco. “For the Olympics, the men will participate in the three traditional qualifying tournaments – the World Championships and two Asian competitions. Of our fighters in the elite pool today, Charly has the best chance of winning a medal in the Olympics among the men and Annie among the women.”
Picson said after the smoke clears in the MVP Cup, the most outstanding Filipino performers will be sent to train in the US for about two weeks. The group will probably be made up of 10 men and five women with two coaches. The first stop in the US is the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.
“I’ve spoken with Freddie who trains pros and amateurs,” said Picson. “He’s open to working with our amateurs who can certainly learn a lot from him. Conditioning will also be in our agenda with Freddie. Hopefully, we can get pointers from Alex Ariza.”
After five days of training with Roach, the group plans to shift to the Eddie Heredia gym, also in Los Angeles, for another five days. One of Oscar de la Hoya’s Olympic mentors Rodrigo Mosquera trains fighters at the Heredia gym and was recommended by recent visitor Patrick Borkowski, a USA Boxing high performance director, to work with the Filipino simonpures.
Picson said if time allows, the ABAP delegation will travel to Canberra on the invitation of pioneer Australian Institute of Sport talent identification and development director for boxing Don Abnett.
“We have a reciprocal relationship with Don who recently brought in the Australian junior team to train with us,” said Picson. “The exposure to the Australian style will be helpful as we try to pick up the best techniques from fighters all over the world.”
Picson said there is an offer to train in Vietnam but it will likely be turned down as the days grow closer to the Asian Games.
Picson said he has not lost hope for Barriga, a 17-year-old lightflyweight, to be given a wildcard ticket to compete at the Youth Olympics in Singapore on Aug. 14-26.
“Mark arrived the other day from Panabo after a month-vacation to recover from an appendectomy,” said Picson. “He’s now back in training. At the recent World Youth competitions, he was impressive in winning over China, Thailand and Russia but lost a disputed 6-4 decision to Ireland’s Ryan Burnett in the quarterfinals. We’ve appealed Mark’s case to (ABAP president) Dr. Ching Kuo Wu. Mark was up, 3-2, in the third round when the referee gave Burnett four penalty points which provided enough of a cushion to win. We’re hoping AIBA gives Mark credit for what he did.”