September 1, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam leads a seven-strong ABAP lineup on the World Boxing Championships within the M&S Financial institution Enviornment, Liverpool, on Sept. 4-14 and whereas it might be powerful to land a podium end, hopes are excessive that the delegation will deliver dwelling honors. It is going to be the just lately IOC-recognized worldwide federation World Boxing’s inaugural World Championships, thought of a costume rehearsal for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The ABAP workforce is made up of 5 males and two ladies. The lads are 50kg Jay Bryan Baricuatro, 55kg Paalam, 60kg Junmilardo Ogayre, 65kg Mark Ashley Fajardo and 70kg Ronald Chavez, Jr. The ladies are 48kg Ofelia Magno and 60kg Riza Pasuit. The fighters arrive in Liverpool at this time with coaches Don Abnett, Ronald Chavez, Reynaldo Galido and Roel Velasco.
ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas stated the competitors is in preparation for the Olympic qualifiers. “Studying and changes,” added Vargas. “It’s a take a look at for our boxers. Confidence-building. Doubtlessly, we should always do nicely however uncertain of profitable a gold, proud of a bronze.
ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo stated Paalam, Chavez Jr., Pasuit and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas skilled at a boot camp in Sheffield earlier than transferring to Liverpool. Villegas, nonetheless, remains to be recovering from a shoulder harm and received’t compete. Baricuatro and Ogayre ready for Liverpool at a camp in Xinjiang. Fajardo took a bronze whereas Magno reached the quarterfinals on the current Asian Boxing U22 Championships in Thailand then skilled in Baguio earlier than leaving for Liverpool.
“That is the inaugural World Championships for World Boxing so it’s an enormous occasion,” famous Manalo. “It’s the best degree of competitors exterior the Olympics so it will likely be powerful to get to the rostrum. Sadly, our Paris Olympic medalists couldn’t compete however we’re excited for Carlo’s return to the ring. We’re additionally excited for our up-and-coming younger boxers like Baricuatro, Fajardo and Magno who’re all U22.” The draw is scheduled tomorrow.
