
Two more Paris qualifiers for boxers
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 16 Oct 2023

Only lightheavyweight Eumir Marcial qualified for the Paris Olympics out of nine fighters in the Philippine boxing team at the Hangzhou Asian Games with two more chances to book tickets in world competitions in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Fen. 29-March 12 and Bangkok on May 12-June 3.
There will be four tickets up for grabs in 13 weight classes, seven for men and six for women in both qualifiers except for three in men’s featherweight and middleweight in Bangkok, five in men’s lightweight and welterweight in Bangkok, two in women’s featherweight in Busto Arsizio and three in women’s lightweight in Busto Arsizio and Bangkok.
In Hangzhou, the Philippine boxers won eight and lost nine with silver medalist Marcial landing the only podium finish. The three women----flyweight Aira Villegas, bantamweight Irish Magno and featherweight Nesthy Petecio----failed to win a single bout. In the men’s squad, flyweight Aaron Bado and lightmiddleweight Marjon Pianar were winless. Marcial won four in a row before losing in the final while featherweight Carlo Paalam and heavyweight John Marvin lost in the quarters. Mark Fajardo made a spectacular Asian Games debut with a knockout then lost in the round of 16.
Eight of nine lost to eventual medalists, including three gold. Fajardo and Marcial bowed to Chinese. Of 13 Chinese boxers, nine brought home a medal, five gold. Despite the slim pickings, ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo isn’t losing hope of qualifying more boxers for Paris. “Nesthy and Carlo lost to eventual gold medalists,” he said. “Aira was coming from back-to-back injuries and lost to the eventual bronze medalist although we thought she should have won and the point deduction she got in the second round was premature. We also thought Irish won the first round clearly against the Uzbek and if she did, it could have changed the course of the fight. Carlo didn’t medal but performed well against the Uzbek world champion. In his first two bouts, he won over the Asian champion and world medalist from Jordan and over the world medalist from Kyrgyzstan. Carlo just climbed up to 57kg after the SEA Games three months ago.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Richard Torrez Jr. and Guido Vianello Ready to Trade Leather in Las Vegas Heavyweight Headliner
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Avoided Kingsley Ibeh Demands his Seat at The Heavyweight Table
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect Alex Bray Signs Promotional Agreement with Boxlab Promotions
Fri, 04 Apr 2025PRE-SALE TICKETS FOR THE 2025 US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP AVAILABLE FROM 14 APRIL
Fri, 04 Apr 2025PSME Abu Dhabi overall champion in the PTC-WED in UAE
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Apr 2025The Hard Road of Young Nationalista
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 03 Apr 20255 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Thu, 03 Apr 2025IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
Thu, 03 Apr 2025TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Thu, 03 Apr 2025