THE three Filipino boxers currently training in Thailand could be heading straight to Japan with only 107 days to go before the Tokyo Olympics.
Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) Secretary-General Ed Picson told Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum that Olympic qualifiers Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno and Carlo Paalam doesn’t have the luxury of time as they complete their training camp in Thailand.
“Even before they left for Thailand last month, we presented them a scenario that they would be heading straight to Tokyo. And they understood,” Picson said.
Picson said that on top of strict travel restrictions, the goal of pushing the boxers’ training to the highest level is the most important.
“We’ve talked about it that their overseas training might be extended all the way up to the Olympics. No chance to come home,” Picson told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
The fourth qualifier, Eumir Felix Marcial, has been training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles since October.
Picson said they are convincing Marcial to join the team in Thailand, assuring the pro boxer that he will be provided quality sparring partners while he trains with his countrymen.
“The training in Thailand will be an Olympics style training and not a professional style,” Picson said. “So it might be better for Eumir to join the rest of the team there.”
Seven other members of the national team and five coaches led by Nolito Velasco are in Thailand as part of the preparations for the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in November.
“We have other boxers in Thailand helping our Olympians train, and at the same time raise their level heading to the SEA Games,” said Picson in the forum powered by Smart with Upstream Media as webcast partner.
From Thailand, the Filipino boxers will compete in the Asian Championships starting on May 21 in New Delhi. And if the Covid-19 situation allows, they might stay longer in the Indian capital to train.
“Then they return to Thailand. Actually, we’re looking at other places or other countries where they can train but it depends which country is willing to let us in,” Picson said.
The Olympics are set from July 23 to August 8.