Vargas aims for at least two gold medals in boxing

Vargas aims for at least two gold medals in boxing

by Joaquin Henson
Philboxing.com
Wednesday, July 24, 2024

OSAKA – PBA president Ricky Vargas was in Osaka to preside over the league's annual planning meeting, but during a break, in his separate capacity as ABAP president, he spoke about his expectations for the five-member Philippine boxing team that will compete in the Paris Olympics.

“At least two gold medals,” Vargas said. “There's a good chance that all five of them will be on the podium. They're ready. They've overcome a lot to get here, to represent their country at the Olympics.” The five fighters are Eumir Marcial in the light heavyweight (80kg), Carlo Parham in the featherweight (57kg), Ayla Villegas in the light flyweight (50kg), Nesty Petecio in the featherweight (57kg) and Elgie Basiadan in the middleweight (75kg).

The 28-year-old Marcial qualified by reaching the final at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, while Villegas, 28, and Petecio, 32, qualified at the first world qualifier in Italy last March, while Param, 25, and Bachadan, 29, qualified at the second world qualifier in Bangkok last June.

Australian coach Don Abnett is the team's chief strategist and scout. Filipino coaches Ronald Chavez and Gerson Nietes are in charge of Marcial and Basiadan, while Reinaldo Garrido and Mitchell Martinez are in charge of Villegas and Petecio. Elmer Pamisa is in charge of his longtime protégé, Param. Vargas said his collaboration with Abnett has been crucial in ensuring clear instructions, especially between rounds.

“In Bangkok, Carlo beat five fighters in seven days. Each fight was win-or-lose,” Vargas said. “I remember two fights within 12 hours. In the Tokyo Olympics, she won silver and now she's going for gold. Nesti is 32 and this will probably be her last Olympics. Like Carlo, she won silver in Tokyo and now it's her time to win gold. Helgi had a great game in Bangkok, winning three fights in a row. She beat some of the best fighters in the world, including Hungary's U19 World Youth Champion and Veronika Nakota from Ukraine. Helgi's power is incredible. She attacks in a straight line. She's not very skilled, but her power is overwhelming. Eumir won bronze in Tokyo and is going for gold. Ayla is the least known of the five, but you can't let her off the hook.”

Boxing at the Paris Olympics begins on July 27 and ends on August 11, with Parham and Petecio competing for gold medals if they make it to the final.

To see a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson, click here.

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