More international tourneys, training in store for Pinoys boxers

A more comprehensive international training and sufficient exposure are being lined up by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) for local pugs in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics. At least seven international tournaments for the country's top amateur male and female boxers are on tap this year, according to ABAP executive director Ed Picson. Topping the list of the heavy international assignments for the Pinoys is the World Boxing Championship set in Baku, Azerbaijan from September 16 to October 1. The World Championship is one of two qualifying events for the London Games. A second qualifying event for Asia is being planned by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) for next year. The Filipinos will also prepare for the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) from November 11 to 25 in Palembang, Indonesia, while the country plays host to the MVP Cup slated in July. "So far, these are the tournaments we will definitely join this year, since the AIBA has yet to announce other competitions lined up for the year. We will be having more tournaments and training because we are looking at a tougher year for boxing this 2011," said Picson. Three boxers delivered medals in the recent Guangzhou Asian Games, including a golden performance by Rey Saludar. Saludar also won a gold in the Tammer Cup in Finland. Two other boxers — lady pug Annie Albania and Saludar's younger brother, Victorio, won silver and bronze medals, respectively. Except for Albania, the Saludars and other national team members, members of the training pool started their training last January 3. "We plan to send them to training camp either in Canberra, Australia or in Mongolia. We're looking at the month of February when they will go on a three-week training," added Picson. In 2010, the team trained in China in preparation for the Asian Games. "We are looking at other countries for our camp and clinics to give our boxers and coaches varieties on how to train and prepare our boxers. Experience gained from different techniques will help them become better boxers and coaches," stressed Picson. - KY, RCJ, JVP, GMANews.TV