Pro boxer bids for Paris slot
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 May 2024
Laurente.
Criztian Pitt Laurente is putting his pro boxing career on hold to bid for a slot in the Paris Olympics and will join Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon and Hergie Bacyadan in the final World Qualifiers in Bangkok on May 23-June 3. There are 51 Olympic tickets left for boxing, 28 men and 23 women, in 13 weight divisions.
Laurente (63.5kg) is now in Bangkok with Paalam (57kg), Ladon (51kg), Bacyadan (75kg) and coaches Don Abnett, Elmer Pamisa, Reynaldo Galido and Mitchel Martinez. Also with the team are early Olympic qualifiers Eumir Marcial (80kg), Nesthy Petecio (57kg) and Aira Villegas (50kg). ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo and coach Ronald Chavez will later fly to the Thai capital for the Qualifiers.
A southpaw, Laurente turned pro in 2019 after a distinguished amateur career where he won gold medals at the 2012 and 2014 Palarong Pambansa, 2016 Philippine National Games and 2016 Children of Asia International Games in Yakutsk, Russia and bronze at the 2018 World Youth Championships in Budapest, Hungary. His pro record is 12-0, with seven KOs.
Laurente said it’s been his dream to represent the country in the Olympics since he was in elementary school. “Malaki ang adjustment sa pag-balik ng amateur since five years ako nawala sa national team,” he said. “Di ko pa muna isipin pag-balik sa pro kasi sobrang focus ako sa Olympic goal.” Manalo said he invited Laurente to try out for the Asian Games last year. “Pitt couldn’t commit that time then expressed interest at the start of this year, did a box-off against (Mark Ashley) Fajardo after the first World Qualifiers and won,” said Manalo. “All four boxers in Bangkok have a good chance of qualifying for Paris.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 22 JUNE 2026
By Eric Armit, Tue, 23 Jun 2026Team PH reigns in Senior League Softball Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament in Indonesia
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 23 Jun 2026ZAYAS AND BOOTS KICK-OFF FIGHT WEEK WITH STORMY FIRST FACE-OFF IN BROOKLYN
Tue, 23 Jun 2026Santisima, Apolinar stop foes
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Jun 2026BOOTS: I FEEL GREAT AT 154
Tue, 23 Jun 2026Bohat is PBF Silver bantamweight champion
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Jun 2026Mexican Boxing Olympic Team returns with bronze medal from Guiyang 2026
Tue, 23 Jun 2026Lastimosa is PBF Youth light fly champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 22 Jun 2026Undefeated Unified Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Claims WBO International Flyweight Title, Stops Neider Valdez in Two Rounds
Sun, 21 Jun 2026Pascuale Perez: Argentina's First World Champion
By Ray Dunbar, Sun, 21 Jun 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Mexico’s Greatness Takes Center Stage
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sun, 21 Jun 2026Boxing world shocked by Turki Alalshikh's health condition
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 21 Jun 2026Rising Star H2O Sylve Shines in Long Beach, Defeats JoJo Diaz in MF Pro's Historic U.S. Debut on DAZN
Sun, 21 Jun 2026Weigh-in Results: Collazo and Valdez On Weight for Flyweight Showdown in Oceanside
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Jun 2026“I feel Murat’s style is a perfect match for me.” Tony Yoka prepares for Murat Gassiev
Sat, 20 Jun 2026