PH boxing team eyes end to 16-year Asian Games gold drought

FILE– Asian Games bets Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial and Nesthy Petecio. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine boxing team will bring four Olympic medalists to the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, as it tries to end a 16-year gold medal drought in the continental meet.

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines president Marcus Manalo said Tuesday that seven boxers will represent the Philippines, led by Nesthy Petecio (60 kg), Aira Villegas (51 kg), Carlo Paalam (55 kg) and Eumir Marcial (80 kg).

“We have seven boxers. It’s going to be a really tough task and the boxers know that. But I’m very excited for them,” Manalo said at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media room.

The participation of Marcial, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist and the lone Filipino boxer to win a medal at the last Asian Games, remains dependent on the result of his professional fight in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, just two days before the boxing competition starts Sept. 21.

“We’re hoping that he will be fit to box and fresh after his pro fight so he can fly straight from Los Angeles to Nagoya,” Manalo said.

Weljon Mindoro, who could have taken Marcial’s place in the heavier division, was barred from competing in Nagoya after suffering a knockout loss to a Mexican opponent in a professional fight in California last week.

The other three members of the Philippine team are Riza Pasuit (54 kg), Junmilardo Ogayre (60 kg) and Norlan Petecio (70 kg).

Bronze medalist Philippines’ Aira Villegas poses during a medals ceremony for the women’s 50 kg final boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Manalo acknowledged that having four Olympic medalists could work both ways against the Philippines.

“We have our Olympic medalists but that could work for or against you because if you’re a competitor, that’s the one you want to beat. But I’ll still bet on the Olympic boxers,” he said.

The team completed a two-week training camp in Thailand and was headed to Nagoya last night for a shorter camp before the competition.

“It was a productive camp in Thailand with teams like China, Jordan, Chinese Taipei and the host country. The Japan camp will be shorter, with some sparring and mostly to acclimatize,” Manalo said.

The Philippines last won an Asian Games boxing gold through Rey Saludar in the 52 kg class at the 2010 Games in Guangzhou, China.

Since then, Filipino boxers have won three silver and five bronze medals in the Asian Games.

“Zero gold na tayo in the past 16 years, so maka-isa lang malaking bagay na to be at the top of the podium,” Manalo said. “We’ve had zero gold medals in the past 16 years, so even just one would mean a lot to be at the top of the podium.”

Manalo said winning an Asian Games gold is as difficult as winning at the Olympics, pointing to the strength of Asian boxing.

“If you look at the gold medalists in the Paris Olympics, 70 percent are from Asia. Yes, 70 percent,” he said, citing Uzbekistan with five golds, China with three and Chinese Taipei with one, accounting for nine of the 13 golds at stake.

“It’s really difficult,” Manalo said.