ABAP eyes 3 countries for RP boxers’ training

MANILA, Philippines – The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) is eyeing three countries as possible training sites for members of the national team. ABAP executive director Ed Picson said they are looking at China, Cuba and the US to prepare the nationals for two major competitions, the 2009 World Boxing Championships set in Milan, Italy from September 1 to 12 and the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos from December 8 to 18. According Picson, the pool will be divided into three groups, one to train in China, another in boxing hotbed Cuba and a third in the US. “Upon their return, the boxers from China, Cuba and US will be asked to spar with each other for us to determine who is in their top shape for the two important competitions," said Picson. The ABAP official explained that the China training is made possible by the sports partnership between the two countries, which was recently renewed by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping and his Chinese counterpart. For the Cuba camp, the ABAP is seeking the help of its sponsor PLDT-Smart, and for the US training, the association is looking to tap the support of a group of Filipinos who offered to facilitate training of young boxers being built up for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the 2012 London Olympics. Picson bared that the ABAP’s thrust is to develop world-class boxers in the lower categories, traditionally a medal producer for the country in the Olympics and world competitions. Records show that of the Philippines’ five Olympic boxing medalists, three fought in the light-flyweight division, Onyok Velasco (1996 silver), his brother Roel (1992 bronze), and Leopoldo Serrantes (1988 bronze). Current RP pool mainstay Harry Tanamor, the 2007 world championship silver medalist, also belongs to this division. “It has been proven in the past that the country excels in lower weight division and this will be our focus. For the World Championships we plan to send 3 to 5 boxers while at least 10 will compete in the SEA Games, including women boxers," Picson said. - GMANews.TV