The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is set to ramp up its talent search nationwide after making the rounds of two chief cities in the Visayas and Mindanao recently.
ABAP president Ed Picson toured Cagayan de Oro and met with boxing stakeholders there.
From Cagayan de Oro, Picson flew to Cebu to hold exploratory talks with two leading boxing gym operators there.
Picson, who has been manning the ABAP for less than a year now after a long stint as its executive director, met with Brix Flores and Editor “Ala” Villamor.
Flores, the 1986 Seoul Olympics bronze medalist, runs the Pacing Flores Boxing Gym in Mandaue.
Villamor, meanwhile, operates the Villamor Brothers Boxing Gym also in Mandaue City.
The two former amateur standouts told Daily Tribune that the ABAP is likewise determined to elevate the level of coaching and officiating across the country apart from tapping new blood.
“The meeting with Sir Ed (Picson) went very well and the ABAP wants to revive amateur (boxing) here in Cebu by getting new talent for the national team,” Villlamor, a two-time world title challenger, said.
Villamor said the recruitment is aimed at boosting the ABAP’s talent pool in the juniors division.
Flores said the ABAP is also holding a seminar for coaches and officials in Cebu soon in line with the association’s vision of reinforcing its rank and file.
