Pinay boxing champ Albania eyes Olympics

After conquering Asia, the Philippines’ top lady amateur boxer Annie Albania sets her sight on the biggest challenge of them all – the 2012 Olympics in London. The qualifying for the Olympiad is still three years away but Albania already primes herself up for a possible stint in the Games that will feature women’s boxing for the first time. If ever, the reigning Asian Indoor Games champion expects a tough challenge in the 51-kg division, especially with bets from the 54-kg weight class sliding down to her turf. The 54-kg division will not be played in the London joust.

“Maghahabol talaga sila sa 51 kg. para maka-qualify sa Olympics. Challenge din ‘yun pero timbang kasi ang pinag-uusapan," said Albania. “Alam ko malakas sila sa 54-kg. pero iba ang kundisyon ng katawan kung bababa sila," said Albania. “Wala akong problema sa timbang kasi doon (51-kg) talaga ako. Maganda kasi hindi na ako mag-rereduce." The 27-year-old Albania won the gold medal in the recent AIG with a 12-4 victory over Sopida Satumrum of Thailand. She also accounted for the country’s lone gold medal in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand when she knocked out another Thai boxer. Because of her exploits, the ABAP, through corporate backer Smart, has given Albania a P100,000 incentive. Albania said all her competitions are geared for the Olympics now that women’s boxing is in the Games' calendar. “Pinaghahandaan rin namin yung SEA Games at sa Asian Games din para maganda maging preparasyon namin for the Olympics," she said. Albania has caught the expert eye of none other than Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who witnessed the ABAP tryouts for the 2009 SEAG during Manny Pacquiao’s training in Baguio City. Roach described Albania as “a cocky fighter" who is “even better" than the male boxers in the RP team. Still, Albania believes she still has a lot of things to improve on. “Marami pa," said Albania. “Sa focus at saka alertness sa kalaban. Nakikita ko suntok ng kalaban pero minsan nag-aalangan ako." Albania will next see action in the Laos SEAG next month along with AIG silver medalist Mitchell Martinez, AIG bronze medalist Alice Kate Aparri and Josie Gabuco. - GMANews.TV