Philippines, 23 Apr 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:

  • EUBANK JR VS. BENN GRAND ARRIVALS QUOTES
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Headlining again at home a dream come true for 16-0-1 junior middleweight Anthony Velasquez
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Amateur Standout Stephanie Simon Signs with Split-T Boxing Management
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
    , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
    , Sat, 19 Apr 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.