ABAP eyes training alternatives amid COVID-19 pandemic

By Nick Giongco

Training camps in Thailand, Vietnam and some other countries that are starting to get back to normalcy amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak are being eyed by the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) to host Tokyo Olympic qualifiers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno and members of the team.

ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson, fresh from presiding over the boxing team in the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Amman, Jordan, admitted that the current situation has made it difficult for them to plot the buildup for the July 24-Aug. 9 Olympics.

“With all these happening, you can’t prepare,” said Picson, noting that Marcial and Magno have gone home alongside the other national team mainstays.

“Only a couple of boxing coaches have opted to remain at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex,” said Picson.

Originally, the Filipino punchers were looking at training and competing in Spain in April before some of them troop to Paris for the World Qualifying.

With Marcial and Magno making the Olympic grade, those vying for slots include flyweight Carlo Paalam, feather Ian Clark Bautista and welter James Palicte in the men’s and top featherweight Nesthy Petecio and lightweight Riza Pasuit in the women’s class.

READ MORE: Boxer Eumir Marcial secures 2020 Tokyo Olympics berth; Irish Magno makes Olympic grade

Petecio, the 2019 world championships gold medalist, was upset in the quarterfinals.

“We were thinking of spending two weeks in Spain before the actual tournament starts and do the same thing when we head for Paris,” said Picson.

“But you know what’s happening and we all can’t plan way ahead,” he added.

Nonetheless, Picson reminds the boxers to remain focused as there has been no announcement over the fate of the Tokyo Olympics.

Source: Manila Bulletin