ABAP national pool starts US training Aug. 21

MANILA, Philippines - The US training camp for members of the national pool of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) starts Aug. 21 at the University of San Francisco Koret Health and Recreation Center.

The USA Boxing team, through head coach Angelo Merino (originally from Cebu) has arranged sparring sessions, clinics and a try-out for Fil-Ams in the four days that they will host the nationals.

Candy Lopez, a former US Olympic coach and Dr. Ronald Mitchell, a chiropractor who specializes in sports medicine, will conduct seminars for the team.

There after, the seven male and four female boxers will attend more clinics and sparring at the Undisputed Gym in nearby San Carlos City courtesy of world super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.

Donaire has offered the use of the gym and the services of his training team for free as his contribution to the ABAP campaign for the Asian Games. He will also distribute health supplements boxers can use until the Asiad.

A program is also being drawn up by Mike Martino, executive director of USA Boxing (ABAP’s US counterpart) for sparring with US boxers and more clinics with American coaches and training experts. Martino, aside from being USA Boxing executive director, also heads the boxing program of the University of Nevada in Reno.

ABAP is still confirming the schedule of Rodrigo Mosquera, the noted amateur boxing coach of the Eddie Heredia Gym in LA where Oscar de la Hoya trained as an amateur.

The women boxers will head straight for Bridgetown, Barbados after the US stint for the Women’s World championships slated Sept 6-19.

Joining the US trip bankrolled by PLDT are ABAP executive director Ed Picson, head coach Pat Gaspi, elite and women’s coach Roel Velasco, senior coaches Nolito Velasco and Ronald Chavez and boxers Charly Suarez, Annie Albania, Joegin Ladon, Delfin Boholst, Victorio Saludar, Gerson Nietes, Rey Saludar, Recky Dulay, Josie Gabuco, Alice Kate Aparri and Nesthy Petecio. Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) Women’s Commission member Karina Picson will accompany the women boxers.

The delegation leaves via Philippine Airlines on Aug. 19. ABAP president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Patrick Gregorio are scheduled to follow later.