2012 OLYMPICS: DECREASING NUMBER OF FILIPINO OLYMPIC BOXERS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 17 Jun 2012
Mark Anthony Barriga.
Boxing is the brightest hope for the first Olympic gold medal of the Philippines. But even with the outpouring of financial support from Mr. MVP Manny V. Pangilinan, the optimism for the elusive gold is not so bright. Only one boxer qualified for London in the person of Mark Anthony Barriga.
Charly Suarez, considered as the Philippines? best amateur boxer at present, almost made it when he entered the finals of the Asian Qualifying Event in Astana, Kazakhstan. He lost a close decision to China?s Liu Qiang, 11-15, in the lightweight final.
In the final canto, Suarez battered his opponent with a barrage of punches even succumbing Liu to a mandatory eight-count. But it was the taller Chinese who was leading the previous two rounds and it was late for Suarez to turn the bout around in the last round. The crowd however favored Suarez and hauled in protest when the verdict was announced.
Boxing has been the richest source of Olympic medals for the country. The Philippines won nine medals in the Summer Games since it began sending athletes in 1924 in Paris. Five of them were won by Filipino boxers. The two silver medals were courtesy of Anthony Villanueva (featherweight) in the 1964 in Tokyo and Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco (lightflyweight) in the 1996 in Atlanta.
The Filipino boxers also brought home three bronze medals won by Onyok?s brother Roel Velasco (lightflyweight) in 1992 in Barcelona, Leopoldo Serrantes (lightflyweight) in 1988 in Seoul, and Jose Villanueva (bantamweight) in 1932 in Los Angeles.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics the Philippines also sent one boxer as Harry Ta?amor was the lone Filipino qualifier. He was the only Filipino athlete predicted to win a medal by Sports Illustrated's Olympic Preview issue. However, he was defeated by Manyo Plange of Ghana in the Round of 32, score 6-3.
In 2004 Athens Olympics four boxers qualified and only Ta?amor and Romeo Brin were able to win in the first stage to make it to the second round. Violito Payla and Fil-American Christopher Camat were defeated in the first round. Ta?amor lost in the round of 16 to Hong Moo-Won of South Korea, 25-42 while Brin lost to Thailand?s Manus Boonjumnong, 13-33.
In 2000 Sydney Olympics, four boxers qualified but the farthest they reached was the second stage. In 1996 in Atlanta, Onyok Velasco lost a close and controversial decision to Bulgaria?s Daniel Boujilov. The country sent five boxers with Elias Recaido getting to the third round while Reynaldo Galido, Virgilio Vicera and Brin were defeated in the first round.
When Roel Velasco won the bronze medal in Barcelona in 1992, there were five boxers who participated in the Games. In 1988 in Seoul, six fighters saw action with Serrantes garnering the bronze medal.
All eyes of our countrymen are focused on the lone boxer Barriga to fight against all odds and prove to critics that his entry to the Olympics was not ?accidental.?
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