Vargas expects PHL boxers to have podium finish in Paris

Association of Boxing Alliance of the Philippines’ (ABAP) chairman Ricky Vargas expects the five-strong Philippine boxing team to bring home a medal from the Paris Olympics.

“Minimum two golds,” said Vargas. “Podium finishes for all five are very possible. They’re prepared, they’re ready. They went through a lot to get to where they are, to represent the country in the Olympics.” The fighting five are lightheavyweight (80kg) Eumir Marcial, featherweight (57kg) Carlo Paalam, lightflyweight (50kg) Aira Villegas, featherweight (57kg) Nesthy Petecio and middleweight (75kg) Hergie Bacyadan.
Marcial, 28, earned his ticket by making it to the final of the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year while Villegas, 28, and Petecio, 32, got their passes at the first World Qualifying Tournament in Italy last March. Paalam, 25 and Bacyadan, 29 booked their slots at the second World Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok last June.

The boxing tournament in the Summer Games begins July 27 and ends August 11 when Philippine delegation flag-bearers Paalam and Petecio, and the rest of the team go for gold if they make it all the way to the final.