One less gold for RP? Boxing’s pinweight event may be scrapped

The Philippines may have lost a possible gold even before hostilities in boxing get underway in the 25th Southeast Asian Games. As per the directive of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), the Laos organizing committee announced Thursday that it is scrapping the 45 kg class (pinweight) in men’s boxing where Bill Vicera is a strong contender for the gold.

AIBA stressed that it doesn’t recognize the 45 kg. division since it is not a part of the weight classes in Olympic boxing, although the category has been included in the boxing calendar of the SEA Games since 1979. Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson said AIBA decided on the issue as early as September, but was only told about it by the Laos technical delegate Thursday. The world governing body for boxing already turned down the initial appeal made by the hosts, although a second request has been made with the endorsement from participating countries such as the Philippines. Other countries that have entries in the pinweight class are Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Owing to the last-minute muddle in the schedule, Thursday’s draw will be held instead on Friday morning, hours before formal competitions begin at the Olympasia gymnasium inside the National University in Vientiane, Laos. Picson also turned down a proposal by the organizing committee to make the weight class a demonstration event. “I told them that the 45 kg class has long been there and was actually a breeding ground of future Olympic medalists," said the ABAP official, citing the case of Mansueto “Onyok" Velasco who began as a pinweight and eventually won a silver medal as a light-flyweight (48 kg.) during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The men’s team will be the first ones to plunge into action, with two-time Olympian Harry Tañamor (48 kg.) leading the way. Also in the roster are Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon (54 kg), Rey Saludar (51 kg), Charly Suarez (60 kg) and Joegin Ladon (64 kg). Asian Indoor Games gold medal winner Annie Albania (71 kgs) spearheads the women’s team that likewise includes Alice Kate Aparri (46 kg), Josie Gabuco (48 kg) and former Asian champion Mitchel Martinez (60 kg). - GMANews.TV