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Philippines, 20 Mar 2026 |
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MOVE TO CHANGE ABAP LEADERSHIP GATHERS SUPPORT PhilBoxing.com Sun, 26 Oct 2008 General Santos City - The clamor for a change in the leadership of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) is snowballing with the different regional amateur boxing officials expressing support to the move that incumbent ABAP President Manny Lopez must voluntarily step down. "Manny (Lopez) is our friend but it is time for him to give way to a new leadership in the ABAP," said Gen. Santos City ABAP President Rey Golingan, a respected boxing man and Manny Pacquiao confidant, in a phone call yesterday. But Golingan rejected the idea of fielding Manny Pacquiao for the ABAP presidency saying that the Filipino boxing icon who will meet multi-world titleholder Oscar dela Hoya in an epic bout Dec. 6 will have no time for it now. "Tonyboy (Floreindo) or whoever would be in the best position to improve amateur boxing, should be tapped to take over the ABAP presidency," Golingan said. Golingan said that Lopez should accept the fact that after 30 years at the helm of the ABAP, he has failed to realize the Filipino people's dream of winning its first Olympic gold in boxing. "Manny does not have the monopoly of the ABAP. He should give way now," said Golingan. Golingan said that if Lopez really loves amateur boxing, he should ensure a smooth turnover by ensuring that the regional ABAP heads are given a fresh mandate through an election first before calling for a national election. Earlier, former Cotabato City Mayor Vic Badoy and ABAP Region XII chairman suggested that ABAP Region XI which elected former Congressman Tonyboy Floreindo as its Regional Chairman must send a Letter of Intent to the ABAP National Office expressing its desire to field the young Mindanao banana tycoon for the ABAP presidency. Floreindo, who served as congressman of Davao del Norte for 9 years and now runs the multi-billion-peso banana and commercial enterprises established by his father, Don Antonio Sr., started his involvement with amateur boxing through the encouragement of his friend, Vice Gov. Manny Pinol of North Cotabato. In just a few years, he and his executive assistant, Generose Ferrazzini, transformed the Panabo City-Davao del Norte amateur boxing team into a national champion dominating every Philippine National and Youth tournaments. Just like in North Cotabato, members of the Panabo City-Davao del Norte amateur boxing team are enrolled in either high school or college and are given the choice of pursuing a career in boxing or college education. "If given the opportunity, I will develop amateur boxing without begging for money from government," Tonyboy earlier vowed. His candidacy for the Oct. 29 scheduled ABAP election, however, is made uncertain by the continued refusal of ABAP National Office to acknowledge his election as ABAP Region XI chairman. Amateur boxing officials in Region XI voted for Floreindo to head the ABAP in the region three years ago but seeing that he could be a threat to the ABAP National leadership, his election has not been officially acknowledged.  |
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