Finest Asian youth fighters due

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxers are in for a tough campaign in the ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships as region’s top bets are expected to see action in the meet set next week at Subic gym.

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson said the presence of Kazakhstan, China, India, Uzbekistan, and even North Korea makes it imperative for the host to be at its best if it plans to equal or surpass the bronze medal it won during the inaugural staging of the event in Tehran, Iran three years ago courtesy of Engelbert Moralde.

Sanctioned by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), the ringfest is set March 11-16.

“It’s not going to be easy to make a prediction, but our boys have been preparing long and hard,” said Picson in the weekly PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s Malate.

Aside from the traditional favorites, the boxing executive is not discounting the possibilities of countries such as Mongolia, Nepal, and neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia pulling some surprises.

 â€œYou see, Asian (countries) are also quite competent and skilled. So we’re on our toes,” said Picson.