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:
Villarosa draws with Labajo, Enano wins
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Suarez, Magsayo Reliving High Point in PH Boxing at Super Featherweights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Pacman back into full-time boxing
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Unbeaten Laurente Dominates Marapu to Capture IBF Pan-Pacific Lightweight Crown; Gaballo Wins in Co-Main Event
Tue, 02 Sep 2025Thunderdome 51 Review: Perth’s Joel Lewis claims title with stunning knockout
Tue, 02 Sep 2025Paulette Cuesta and Susy Kandy Sandoval Set for Highly Anticipated Rematch in Tijuana
Tue, 02 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 31 August 2025
By Eric Armit, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Gaballo, Laurente prevail in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Paalam leads ABAP team in Liverpool
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 01 Sep 2025OKC Thunder Favored to Repeat as NBA Champs
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Pacman sets ‘Thrilla’ commemoration
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 31 Aug 2025Historic win for Paolo Gallito who edges Lee Van Cortez in the finals of the Efren "Bata" Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 31 Aug 2025"The Return" Weights from Detroit
Sun, 31 Aug 2025Efren Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Tourney: Corteza Faces Villafuerte in Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 31 Aug 2025Martha Salazar: Stepping Out of Her Own Shadow
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 30 Aug 2025