Scrapping of boxing qualifiers for Olympics could be blessing in disguise for PH

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The recent spike of COVID-19 cases forced organizers of the Tokyo Olympics boxing committee to cancel all boxing world qualifying competitions.

As such, boxers from all over the world still vying for spots in the Olympics will be assessed through their division world rankings.

With this development, there is a good chance that both of Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam will book a ticket to Tokyo.

Petecio, a featherweight, and Paalam, a flyweight, are currently highly rated and are expected to join Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno for the PH delegation in Tokyo.

“This might prove beneficial to our cause, since some of our boxers are ranked highly among those who have not yet qualified. I hope we get at least two more in Tokyo,” said ABAP president Ricky Vargas.

The International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force has taken over the duties of the International Boxing Association following its suspension and will be in charge of selecting the Tokyo-bound Olympics boxers.

As of now, Petecio and Paalam are training in the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba and will leave for Thailand for another training camp.