Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Stronger shot at elusive 1st Olympic gold


PhilBoxing.com




WHEN Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco lost his gold medal bout against a fleet-footed Bulgarian in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the tiny warrior cried while Filipino boxing officials blamed messy technical scoring for the controversial setback.

In the 1964 Olympics, the late Anthony Villanueva was deprived of the featherweight gold, despite having clearly manhandled a bloodied Russian foe, in what would be called a daytime robbery in the Tokyo Summer Games.

In both instances, Villanueva and Velasco relied heavily on the relentless combative style of Filipino boxers, who loved being told they were following in the legendary footsteps of champions Pancho Villa and Flash Elorde, the most famous Filipino ring warriors of their time.

In the cases of Villanueva and Velasco, the objective explanation would be that both of them would?ve been declared clear winners had their amateur Olympic bouts been judged and scored the way they did it in the pros.

**

The silver medal feats of Villanueva and Velasco were the closest the Philippines could come to landing its elusive first Olympic gold medal.

All other attempts by Filipino boxers after Atlanta failed, the last one with diminutive Mark Anthony Barriga winning his first bout, before running into a wily and much taller foe who controlled the fight by outwrestling the hapless PH bet in the 2014 London Olympics.

Meanhile, the boxing program of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) was left with no clear direction after a disappointing stint by national boxers in the last Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

**

There was no hint of better things to come as national boxers quietly headed for Singapore for the 28th edition of the Southeast Asian Games earlier in the month.

But in a phenomenal twist, the PH boxing team beat the favored Thai team to dominate the boxing event with a total of 5 gold medals, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes, for a rousing ten-medal output.
Not that it was totally expected, but ABAP executive director Ed Picson said that adjustments to the new rules and conduct of international tournaments, including the 10-point-must scoring system, proved of tremendous help to the successful campaign.

?We changed our style, we took charge, lusob na,? Picson explained. ?You must be agressive, that?s what judges are looking for, even if you?re stepping back, you must throw punches.?

**

Picson went on to explain that, while before, the technical style of Gerry Penalosa would work, what they need now is the aggressiveness of Manny Pacquiao, because it clicks.

There will be a premium on competent, courageous combat as the national boxing team moves on in search of slots for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Anyway, while it?s too early to say if the changes and adjustments would, as a whole, prove to be the missing link in the long, lonely quest for a PH Olympic gold medal, there is promise to be stronger, bigger punches from Filipino fighters hereon.

Pray these new weapons would be sharper and more accurate, too.

Photo: The Philippine boxing delegation in the recent Singapore games that won 5 golds, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes in a rousing performance.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 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.