PHL boxers ready, confident for Asiad

The six-man Philippine boxing team is all geared up for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. This was assured by Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson, despite the fact that the national pugs face tough competition from Southeast Asian Games rival Thailand and powerhouse boxers from China as well as former Russian Republic such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Thai boxers were earlier reported not to be joining the quadrennial meet after the international boxing body (AIBA) suspended the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand. But Thailand’s national governing body in boxing got a favorable ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The international body accused ABAT president Gen. Taweep Jantararoj of continuous violation of the AIBA rules. Taweep elevated the case to CAS and got a favorable ruling. Thailand will be sending a strong 11-man delegation: eight male and three female boxers, with the latter tasked to win at least two gold medals. The male boxers are composed of Amnat Ruenroeng (49-kg.), Chatchai Butdee (52-kg.), Worapoj Petchkoom (56-kg.), Sailom Ardee (60-kg.), Atchariya Haewsuno (64-kg.), Apichet Saensit (69-kg.), Suriya Prasathinpimai (75-kg.) and Kriengkria Sukkhum (81-kg.). The female bets are Piemwilai Laopiam (51-kg.), Tasamalee Thongchan (57-kg.) and Sudaporn Sisorndee (60-kg.). "We know that the Thai boxers are strong and we welcome their participation. If by chance we will be pitted against them, we will take that opportunity to settle the score," said Picson. ABAP will be sending a total of six boxers — five men and a lady boxer — to the Asian Games. Picson added that all of them are capable of winning medals. This year’s batch is composed of Victorio Saludar, Rey Saludar, Charly Suarez, Delfin Boholst and Wilfredo Lopez. Multi-titled lady boxer Annie Albania is the lone competitor in the women's division. The delegation hopes to surpass or at least match the two gold medals won in Doha, Qatar four years ago. Violito Payla and Joan Tipon accounted for the Pinoy boxers’ two-gold medal haul in 2006. "Our boxers are ready for the Asian Games. They have been exposed to tough boxing tournaments, and Lopez and Albania, who have suffered injuries, are 100-percent ready," added Picson. ABAP sent the boxers to training in China and the United States and had them compete in tough international tournaments. ABAP chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan pledged a reward of P3 million for every gold medalist, P1 million for the silver medalists and P500,000 for each bronze medalist. This is outside of the government's own incentives worth P1 million for a gold, P500,000 for a silver and P100,000 for a bronze medal. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV