Stronger shot at elusive 1st Olympic gold
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 27 Jun 2015
WHEN Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco lost his gold medal bout against a fleet-footed Bulgarian in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the tiny warrior cried while Filipino boxing officials blamed messy technical scoring for the controversial setback.
In the 1964 Olympics, the late Anthony Villanueva was deprived of the featherweight gold, despite having clearly manhandled a bloodied Russian foe, in what would be called a daytime robbery in the Tokyo Summer Games.
In both instances, Villanueva and Velasco relied heavily on the relentless combative style of Filipino boxers, who loved being told they were following in the legendary footsteps of champions Pancho Villa and Flash Elorde, the most famous Filipino ring warriors of their time.
In the cases of Villanueva and Velasco, the objective explanation would be that both of them would?ve been declared clear winners had their amateur Olympic bouts been judged and scored the way they did it in the pros.
**
The silver medal feats of Villanueva and Velasco were the closest the Philippines could come to landing its elusive first Olympic gold medal.
All other attempts by Filipino boxers after Atlanta failed, the last one with diminutive Mark Anthony Barriga winning his first bout, before running into a wily and much taller foe who controlled the fight by outwrestling the hapless PH bet in the 2014 London Olympics.
Meanhile, the boxing program of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) was left with no clear direction after a disappointing stint by national boxers in the last Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
**
There was no hint of better things to come as national boxers quietly headed for Singapore for the 28th edition of the Southeast Asian Games earlier in the month.
But in a phenomenal twist, the PH boxing team beat the favored Thai team to dominate the boxing event with a total of 5 gold medals, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes, for a rousing ten-medal output.
Not that it was totally expected, but ABAP executive director Ed Picson said that adjustments to the new rules and conduct of international tournaments, including the 10-point-must scoring system, proved of tremendous help to the successful campaign.
?We changed our style, we took charge, lusob na,? Picson explained. ?You must be agressive, that?s what judges are looking for, even if you?re stepping back, you must throw punches.?
**
Picson went on to explain that, while before, the technical style of Gerry Penalosa would work, what they need now is the aggressiveness of Manny Pacquiao, because it clicks.
There will be a premium on competent, courageous combat as the national boxing team moves on in search of slots for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Anyway, while it?s too early to say if the changes and adjustments would, as a whole, prove to be the missing link in the long, lonely quest for a PH Olympic gold medal, there is promise to be stronger, bigger punches from Filipino fighters hereon.
Pray these new weapons would be sharper and more accurate, too.
Photo: The Philippine boxing delegation in the recent Singapore games that won 5 golds, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes in a rousing performance.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 17 Dec 2025