FILIPINO AMATEUR PROSPECT STARTS SUMMER WORKOUT AT WILD CARD GYM
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Jun 2010
Julian Chua (L) trains at the Wildcard Gym with Freddie Roach.
Filipino amateur prospect Julian Santos Chua has started what boxing man and broadcaster Hermie Rivera says are the youngster's summer drills at the Wild Card Gym of celebrated trainer Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.
Rivera informed us that Chua will only engage in light training ?until his sprained left wrist which is on the mend is fit for more rigorous use on the bags.?
Rivera said Chua is listed as one of the participants in the Kansas Nationals (novice division) at 152 pounds.
Apparently, efforts to get the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines to give Chua a chance to show his talent in the forthcoming MVP International Friendship Cup or any other local tournament didn?t prosper and Chua continues to train in the US and fight in top class amateur tournaments in America.
Rivera recalls that at the age of 13, Julian began going to a boxing gym, but consistent training was put off because of his inability to compete.
He expressed his desire for the sport at around 15 to 16 years old.
It was at this point that Chua?s skills began to emerge. His first noteworthy achievement in the ring came after a couple of attempts when, at the age of 18, Chua won the 2009 Indiana Golden Gloves, beating the 2008 champion last October.
What warmed Rivera?s heart was the fact that despite their hectic schedule, both Pacquiao and Roach have committed to help Chua attain his quest for gold in the London Olympics.
?Roach would start the kid?s earnest drive at his Hollywood sweatshop, while Manny pitches in with his expertise and knowhow. Outstanding,? said Rivera.
He had hoped ABAP chairman Manny Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas would be happy even as Rivera indicated he was prepared to ? work out a schedule that allows him to qualify in whatever tryouts the ABAP will require.?
In fact Vargas told us he had given instructions for ABAP officials to find an opponent for Chua at his weight so they would have a chance to see him in action in a tournament in Manila but apparently that didn?t materialize.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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