Philippine Sports News and Updates

The Philippine boxing team will test its readiness for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games when it competes in the 1st AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship slated from April 3 to 12 in Guiyang, Guizhou province.

Members of the team are light flyweight Gerson Nietes , flyweight Rey Saludar, bantamweight Aston Francis Palicte, featherweight Charly Suarez, lightweight Jameboy Vicera, light welterweight Mark John Rey Melligen and welterweight Wilfredo Lopez.

"We’re very hopeful that with this young team, we can gauge our strength for the coming Asian Games," said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson, who will accompany the RP boxers together with coaches Nolito Velasco and Ronald Chavez.

"We also have a string of other tournaments and training camps planned for the year to ensure that our boxers are prepared for Guangzhou," added Picson.

The seven-member Philippine team, being supported by Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and ABAP president Ricky Vargas, leaves on Saturday.

Team Philippines will be up against the best boxers from 30 other countries that include Russia, Cuba and host China in the 10-day meet considered as a prelude to the Guangzho Asiad in November.

Picson said that from Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, the RP boxers will join 19 other Pinoy pugilists – including six female boxers – to attend a 14-day training camp at the Shichahai Sports School in Beijing.

"The camp is made possible with the help of the Beijing Boxing Federation."

• GMANews.TV
• Philippine Sports Central