Philippines, 03 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Vargas brings luck to boxers


PhilBoxing.com




From when ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas arrived in Bangkok last Thursday to witness the final four days of competition at the World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers, Carlo Paalam and Hergie Bacyadan went undefeated on their way to booking tickets to the Paris Olympics. The “lucky charm” was accompanied by POC president Mayor Bambol Tolentino at ringside for Paalam’s clincher last Saturday then ABAP president Rep. Robbie Puno joined them for Bacyadan’s closer the next day.

ABAP sent four fighters to Bangkok with flyweight Rogen Ladon and lightwelterweight Pitt Laurente losing in their first bouts to eventual Olympic qualifiers. Paalam took down five opponents to claim one of three passages up for grabs in the featherweight division. Bacyadan defeated three opponents to take one of four tickets available in the women’s middleweight class.

“Carlo fought five fights in seven days and all were win or be eliminated,” said Vargas. “He’s an amazing Filipino athlete, so proud of him, pusong Pinoy. Carlo was all business, a pure boxer. He fought with a plan and didn’t get distracted by his opponents’ boasting. Before his last fight, I told him he’s a winner and an Olympian but what’s more important is ikaw naniniwala na you can do it again, that’s all that matters. I also spoke to Hergie before her last fight and she told me she wouldn’t let go of the opportunity to go to Paris and she would do her all. I told her it’s yours, just box and stay focused because your opponent will only beat you if you allow it.”

Paalam, 25, scored four 5-0 wins and one 4-1 to breeze to a second Olympic stint while Bacyadan, 29, had two 5-0 victories and one, 3-2. They join lightheavyweight Eumir Marcial, 28, lightflyweight Aira Villegas, 28 and featherweight Nesthy Petecio, 32, in the five-strong boxing squad in Paris.

In assessing the performance in Bangkok, ABAP coach Don Abnett said Paalam and Bacyadan were outstanding. “Carlo was at his best and every fight was great,” said Abnett. “He’s capable of doing better things in Paris. Hergie’s final opponent (Maryelis Yriza) was a slow starter from analyzing other bouts so the tactics were to jump on her early and let her feel Hergie’s power and that worked. Hergie kept beating her to the punch and her opponent was rocked with strong punches, was given a standing eight-count, resorted to holding and was deducted a point. Pitt was only back with the team for a short period and probably didn’t have enough time to readjust to the amateur style. Rogen under-performed and was capable of doing much better.”

Photo: ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas (center) with Olympic boxing qualifiers (from left) Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Hergie Bacyadan.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
    , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • TKO and Zuffa Boxing sign streaming agreement with Paramount
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Boxing Ephemera, Pacquiao’s Mouthguard, and the Meaning of It All
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • A turning point for global sport: IBA President Umar Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr join forces
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • Rosia captures PBF super fly title
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • Tancontians starred 2025 Sports Heroes Night
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • “Thrilla” guest list
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 28 Sep 2025
  • Why Do So Many Boxers Play eGames?
    , Sun, 28 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.