Philippines, 11 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Olympic boxers back for SEA Games


PhilBoxing.com



L-R: Olympic medalists Paalam, Marcial and Petecio.

ABAP head coach Don Abnett said yesterday he’s 100 percent sure the country’s four Tokyo Olympic boxers will be back in the ring to go for gold at the SEA Games in Vietnam in May but at the moment, he’s mapping out plans to recall the national pool for training as soon as PSC gives the go-signal.

Abnett hasn’t left Manila since arriving from Tokyo last August and it’s been over two years that he hasn’t visited family in Australia, his home country. He’s scheduled for an appearance at the Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday for an extension of his work visa. “From what they’ve indicated, Nesthy (Petecio), Carlo (Paalam), Eumir (Marcial) and Irish (Magno) will fight in the next SEA Games,” said Abnett.

ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson cited two factors in explaining the boxing team’s unprecedented showing in Tokyo, reflected by two silvers and a bronze or a 75 percent success rate. “The first factor was Abnett and the second was the fair officiating that was a result of IOC taking over supervision through the Boxing Task Force from AIBA,” he said. “Don deserves credit. Since he joined in 2019, we’ve captured a gold and silver at the worlds, dominated the last SEA Games, qualified four boxers to the Olympics and brought back three Olympic medals. Don’s totally committed to ABAP. I think since coming over from Australia three years ago, he’s visited his kids only once and just for two weeks.”

Picson said the conduct of the Olympic boxing event went smoothly. “I really don’t know about AIBA,” he said. “There doesn’t seem to be any effort from AIBA to comply with IOC’s demands for reform. All I know is the Olympic event was conducted fair and square by the task force. Price Waterhouse was brought in to make sure procedures were above board, they were strict, meticulous and methodical. They were contracted by IOC even during the qualifying stages.”

Abnett said there are about four female and six male boxers living in Baguio but training camp hasn’t been opened, pending IATF approval. “We’re doing online training,” he said. “Actually, we need to see our boxers face to face, analyze their condition before we decide who’ll be in the national pool. Our Olympians are still celebrating and running around the country but they deserve it. Once we get approval to resume training, we’ll recall everyone.”

Abnett said ABAP is considering a return to Thailand for training, repeating what the team did before the Olympics. Before the year ends, Abnett said ABAP plans to participate in the Asian U22 Championships in Uzbekistan on Dec. 7-17 and the AIBA World Women’s Championships in Istanbul in December with no definite dates set. A total of $2.6 million in prize money will be at stake in Istanbul with $100,000 for a gold medal, $50,000 for a silver and $25,000 for a bronze.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda Press Conference Quotes
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • Steven Butler to face Edgar Berlanga on July 26 at the Infosys Theater of the Madison Square Garden in New York
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • Nimal Farmer scores signature win over Michael Anderson at Prudential Center
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • H2O EAGER TO MAKE STATEMENT AGAINST FORMER WORLD CHAMPION JOJO DIAZ IN HOMETOWN HEADLINER JUNE 19
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 JUNE 2026: Ramirez SD Lerrone; Baumstarh SD Bustillos; Vazquez, Mindoro Win in Texas; Yabuki, Moloney, Casimero and Angeletti Win in Japan
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Spurs Take Game 3, Beat Knicks in New York 115-111
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Casimero still rocking
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Mascarinas faces tough competition in 66th San Carlos Charter Day
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Raymond Muratalla Defends IBF Lightweight World Title Against Former Champion Robson Conceicao in Explosive Co-Main Event to Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda
    , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • IBA represented at the United Nations World Cup Diplomacy Summit in New York
    , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Historic Costa Rican former champ Bryan Vasquez is arrested
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Bruce Wren Tatad of Tanza, Cavite rules National Age Group Chess Championship ; vying Singapore chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Suslenkov to face Joyce in a thrilling showdown at IBA PRO 19 in Moscow
    , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • Dalton Smith receives inaugural WBC Ricky Hatton Legacy Belt in front of thousands in Mancheste
    , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • Stacey King three time NBA Champion with Chicago Bulls passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • FM Daluz sweeps 10th AQ Prime chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • Llover vows comeback
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.