Philippines, 23 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ALBANIA, MARTINEZ GO FOR GOLD TODAY


PhilBoxing.com



Albania (L) with Roach.

HANOI – Boxers Annie Albania and Mitchel Martinez goes for history as the two sees action in today's championship round matches of the women's boxing event in the Third Asian Indoor Games at Bah Ninh Gymnasium.

Eight finals bouts with the first fight starting at 3 pm (4pm Philippine time), highlights the close of the event where victories from Albania and Martinez will seal Philippines best showing ever in the AIG.

So far, the country has brought home one gold medals each during the 2005 Bangkok and 2007 Macau editions which came from the sport of muay.

“Lahat ng paghahanda namin ay ito na ang bunga. Kaya todo-bigay na kami para sa bansa,” said Albania who along with Martinez are the most experienced from the five lady boxers sent by Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

A silver medalist in the last World Women's Championships, Albania made it to the final round with a 6-0 victory over India's Chhoto Loura while Martinez, the 2005 Asian champion, scored a 13-9 win over local bet Vui Nguyen Thi in Monday night semifinals.

““The entire nation is praying for the success of Albania and Martinez. They are in the Finals because of their patience, hard work and big sacraifice,” message sent by Phiulippine Sports Cossmmission chairman Harry Angping, who initially, refujsed to send the boxers as well as opther Southeasst Asian Games-bound athletes here for feat that they m ight get injured.

“Both Annie and Mitchel are veterans and we have good chances of winning the gold medal,” declared ABAP past president and current VP Manny Lopez who in 2001 pushed for the development of women's boxing in Asia.

Albania faces Thailand's Sopida Satumrum for the bantamweight gold while Martinez clashes with Cheng Dong of China for the light welterweight division.

Both Satumrum and Dong are formidable opponents with the Thai boxer the light-flyweight gold medal winner in the 2007 SEA Games having defeated Filipina Alice Kate Aparri.

Dong meanwhile defeated Martinez in the quarterfinals of the 60-kilogram division in the World Champioinships in Nimbo, China. She later went on to the finals and clinched the silver medal after bowing to Kathy Taylor of Republic of Ireland.

“We know our opponents and we have laid down our plans on how to beat them,” said coach Glicerio Catolico.

“Inaasahan naming mahirap na laban ito, but our boxers are prepared. Kailangan lamang na maging alisto sa bawat pagkakamali ng mga kalaban,”added Catolico who is being assisted by Roel Velasco.

Boxing action took a break yesterday and the nationals used the day to furnish their fight plan.

Philippines so far has secured two bronze medals courtesy of Josie Gabuco in pinweight and Biboy Rivera in the men's singles in bowling.

Sanshou 48-kilogram fighter Jennifer Lagilag became the lastest national player to contribute a medal as she has assured the country of another bronze as advances into the semifinals with the luck of the draw.

“So far so good," said RP Chief of Mission Julian Camacho. "We have two boxers fighting for gold medals while our athletes in muay, bowling, wushu, swimming and chess are still competing and possible contenders. I truly believe we are headed into a good showing this year."

Only five players are seeing action in the 48-kg weight class and Lagilag was lucky enough to draw a bye in the first round which starts today at Trinh Hoai Duc Gymnasium.

She opens campaign in the semifinals tomorrow against the winner between India's Purhrambam Sakuntala Devi and host bet Nguyen Thi Bich, who is the favorite being the 2007 World champion.

The other sanshou player from Philippines, Rhea May Rifani will open campaign at the 52 kilogram today against Vietnam's Nguyen Thuy Ngan.

China's Gong Jinlin completes the three players entered in the said weight category and competitors will go into a single round robin to determine their placings. Rifani takes a break tomorrow and will compete anew Friday against Gong.

The 2007 Best Male Athlete of the SEA Games in Thailand Miguel Molina also plunge into action today in the opening of the pool events at the My Dinh National Aquatics Sports Complex.

Molina arrived late Monday night and will swim in the preliminary heats of the 50m free, 100m breast and 200m individual medley.

The US trained swimmer who won three individual gold medals in Thailand will see action in seven events. He will swim in the 50m breast tomorrow, the 200m free on November 6 and capped his performance on November 7 in the 100m IM and 100m free.

Heats start at 8 am while finals will be held at 6 pm.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Oleksandr Usyk Returns Against Unknown Boxer on RING/DAZN PPV
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Ayala Lardizabal stops Mama as IBA PRO 18 delivers dramatic night in Mexico City
    , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • MF PRO Launches U.S. Boxing Debut with “Pugilist Revolution” Featuring "H2O" Sylve vs. Joseph “JoJo” Diaz in Southern California Showdown
    , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • Dela Cerna fights Lastimosa on June 21 in Muntilupa
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Posts Another Seven-Win Day in Colombia
    , Sat, 23 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Beat Cavaliers 109-93 Behind Hart’s Postseason Career-High 26 in East Finals
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Rep. Barzaga invited in Bakbakan sa Putatan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Weights Set from San Jose: Amari Jones and Vincenzo Gualtieri Cleared for IBF Middleweight Eliminator
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Gilgeous-Alexander Back to MVP Form as Thunder Top Spurs 122-113 in West Game 2
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • IBA flag raised at the peak of Mount Everest following historic ascent
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Jacamos fights for vacant WBC Youth World junior fly in South Africa on May 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Lastimosa to fight for vacant PBF Youth light fly crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Adds Seven Wins on Day Four at 2026 Copa America
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Bohat fights for PBF Silver bantamweight crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • AGM Bernardino to hold chess simul in San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Gustavo Trujillo Looks to Continue his Rise in the Heavyweight Division
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante rules 2026 Buffalo’s Pro Classic 1 Ball One Pocket Division
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures Eight More Victories on Day Three of 2026 Copa America
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 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.