GOOD LUCK, NEW ABAP
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Jan 2009
The fresh Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) organization signals a brighter future for amateur boxing in our country, considered as a boxing power in Asia and the world. Boxing is one good sport we can excel internationally and we have proven it many times in the past.
Professional boxing now basks in the limelight capped by the great victories of Manny Pacquiao and three other world champions Nonito Donaire, Jr., Gerry Pe?alosa and Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes. But amateur boxing pales in comparison as Filipino boxers failed to win an Olympic medal since the dramatic Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco silver-medal finish in Atlanta in 1996.
Manny Lopez stepped down as ABAP President and turned over the reign to the new chairman Manny Pangilinan and the new president Ricky Vargas. Before the year ended, as the new management was about to take over the ABAP helm, Harry Ta?amor, a failure in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics, won the light flyweight gold medal in the Boxing World Cup in Moscow, Russia.
The 31-year-old Ta?amor dominated the favored Cuban Yampier Hernandez, 15-7, in the finals of the initial staging of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) World Cup for the top eight fighters of the world in the different weight categories.
This is an indicator that ABAP is well on its drive to bring back the glory to the amateurs. And with the planned regionalized training of the national pool of boxers, expect the methodical preparations of our amateur fighters to penetrate to the grass roots.
With the national championships and congress to be held in Bacolod City on January 16 ? 24, delegates and participants are looking forward to an invigorated ABAP which could discover fresh talents among rising boxers.
Another big challenge for the new ABAP is to hold great name fighters from turning professional as the lure of the big time promotions with gigantic purses will continuously entice the more talented boxers.
ABAP Southern Leyte Chapter, with yours truly as the chapter president, is sending boxers and delegates to the national congregation in Bacolod. We want to contribute our share to revive the dream of bringing back the splendor of amateur boxing. ABAP Southern Leyte wishes the new ABAP management all the luck. Go for the Olympic Gold!
Top Photo: Amateur boxing fight in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025