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:
Errol Spence vs Tim Tszyu: Do or Die Down Under
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Jul 2026SYDNEY WEIGH-IN REPORT: Spence and Tszyu On Weight; Co-Main Event Cancelled After Fulton Blows Weight
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Fury Halts Wach in Thailand, Leaving Ball in Joshua’s Court for Mega-Fight
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Great First Half of the Year for the WBC
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 25 Jul 2026CK Ingles to Host Open 2x2 Team and Open Individual Rapid Chess Tournaments with ₱100,000 Prize Pool
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Jul 2026Magnificent 7 boxers gird for Asiad
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 25 Jul 2026Arca wins silver in Asian Youth in Shenzhen, China
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Jul 2026Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga exchange final words at Press Conference ahead of 'The Comeback'
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026SYDNEY SHOWDOWN: Spence and Tszyu Exchange Final Verbal Barbs; Undercard Weight Drama Unfolds at Press Conference
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026Spence vs Tszyu Fight Analysis and Prediction
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 24 Jul 2026“BUTTERFLY BRAWL” MARKS RETURN TO ICONIC SANTA MONICA PIER
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026AIM Jerick Faeldonia vying for Bangkok chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM THURSDAY ROUNDUP: Scale Shock in Pattaya, Red Sea Staredowns, and Final Countdown to Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Thu, 23 Jul 2026USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel
Thu, 23 Jul 2026P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Jul 2026