Thai camp awaits ABAP team
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 05 Mar 2021
Olympic qualifiers Eumir Marcial (L) and Irish Magno.
After a tedious process of finalizing travel arrangements, an ABAP team of 10 fighters is set to leave for training camp in Thailand this Wednesday and will stay about 1 1/2 months before possibly relocating to another country where a pre-Olympic tournament may be held. The contingent will not initially include Olympic middleweight qualifier Eumir Marcial, who's in L. A., and U.K.-based lightheavyweight John Marvin. Olympic women’s flyweight qualifier Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and
Carlo Paalam are in the delegation.
Because of the pandemic, visas are now required for travelers to enter Thailand even if they’re from Southeast Asia. It took about two months to obtain clearances from the Ministries of Health and Interior in Thailand then another two to three weeks for the Thai Embassy in Manila to issue visas. Marcial’s clearance documents were forwarded to the Thai consulate in L. A. but it’s not sure if he’ll join the camp in Thailand.
At the moment, only Marcial and Magno from the ABAP team are qualified for Tokyo but Petecio and Paalam should make it as the highest-ranked Asians available to book tickets since the world qualifiers were cancelled by the IOC Boxing Task Force. ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson said he’s not counting chickens before they’re hatched. The IOC will base who are the qualifiers from the updated standings and make an announcement any day from March 10 to 16. Since there are no competitions from now until then, the rankings shouldn’t change, meaning Petecio and Paalam will get their slots for Tokyo. Picson, however, said there are no guarantees until the tickets are formally awarded.
AIBA, meanwhile, is opposing the cancellation of the world qualifiers. AIBA president Umar Kremlev of Russia said the ranking system “does not take into account youth competitions as young boxers born in 2001-02 will be deprived of the chance to compete at the Games and fulfill their dream … a qualification tournament would be a more objective way to qualify for the Olympics.” But IOC may not be inclined to listen to AIBA particularly as IOC executive board member Nenad Lalovic of Serbia was chairman of the Olympic inquiry panel that decided to strip AIBA of Olympic recognition. Picson said it’s possible that once the ABAP team leaves for Thailand, the Tokyo-bound boxers may not return home until after the Olympics. “It will depend on the training we’re able to arrange,” he said. Marcial has been invited to join the Thai camp but he’s immersed in workouts in L. A. with Freddie Roach supervising his training. At some point, he’ll hook up with the ABAP team in Thailand or elsewhere.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Simsri Crushes Mendoza, Retains IBF 108-lbs Title; Could A Filipino Challenger Fight Simsri Next? (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 14 Apr 2026Manny Pacquiao and Jas Mathur via Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announce Nine-Figure Team Boxing League Partnership, Launching Manny Pacquiao’s San Diego TJ’s Franchise
Tue, 14 Apr 2026Pabular loses by a split decision
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 14 Apr 2026DFBC dominates in Invitational Doubles
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 14 Apr 2026Santisima Faces Undefeated Grigoryan for IBF Asia Title in Russia
Tue, 14 Apr 2026Jenn Perella excited to be fighting in front of family & friends on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
Tue, 14 Apr 2026Angel Barrientes Training Camp Notes
Mon, 13 Apr 2026DFBC sweeps Dubai Filipino bowlfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 13 Apr 2026Middleweight Contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. Dominates Omar Huerta in Main Event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
Mon, 13 Apr 2026Sergio Martinez returns with a victory at 51
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 13 Apr 2026Team USA Secures Three Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
Mon, 13 Apr 2026Rosales to fight Obedencio in RFL co-main event
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 13 Apr 2026Quiñonero to fight Cadalso in Juego Todo Pro
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 13 Apr 2026Miel Fajardo Unleashes Thrilling Fury: Filipino Slugger Blasts Reyes in IBF Flyweight Eliminator in Argentina
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 12 Apr 2026IBA NOMAD 14 delivers spectacular night of combat sports in Almaty
Sun, 12 Apr 2026