Source : Kristel Satumbaga Manila Bulletin SportsMANILA, Philippines — A delegation of 14 boxers, three of them women, plus six officials, five of them coaches, leave for Sheffield, England Monday for a two-week training as part of the boxers’ preparation for a possible stint in next year’s London Games.
The boxers will be led by 2006 Doha Asian Games champion Joan Tipon and brothers Orlando (lightweight) and Rolando Tacuyan (light welterweight).
The trip will precede the Filipinos’ stint in the AIBA Men's World Championships on Sept. 22 to Oct. 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
"Excited at pressured din kasi matinding training ang haharapin namin doon. Pero gusto kong maipadala ako sa world championships at mag-qualify sa Olympics kaya pagbubutihin ko," said Tipon, who was sidelined after the 2009 Laos SEAG due to a shoulder injury.
Joining Tipon and the Tacuyan brothers are Mark Anthony Barriga (light fly), Rey Saludar (fly), Gerson Nietes (fly), Junel Cantancio (bantam), Charly Suarez (light), Dennis Galvan (light welter), Wilfredo Lopez (welter) and Delfin Boholst (welter).
Completing the cast are female fighters Josie Gabuco (light fly), Alice Aparri (fly) and Nesthy Petecio (bantam).
They will be accompanied by team coaches Pat Gaspi, Boy Velasco, Ronald Chavez, Roel Velasco, Mitchel Martinez.
Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson, who will also join the team, said the training is part of their selection process for the squad that will be sent to the world championships – the first male qualifying event for next year's London Olympics.
The team will train along with boxers from Great Britain, Brazil and Germany.
"Maganda ito at may makaka-spar kaming mga tiga-ibang bansa," said coach Velasco, a bronze winner in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
ABAP is hoping to field a maximum of seven fighters to the London Olympics in the country's bid to win its first Olympic gold medal.
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