Asian boxing federation honors Abap, pug Marcial
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine amateur boxing received twin recognition from the Asian Boxing Confederation recently as boxer Eumir Felix Marcial won the Best Asian Youth Boxer of the Year award and the Subic-Asian Youth Championships in March took the plum for Best Asian Competition for 2013.
Marcial clinched the award for his shining victory in the 64-kilogram (light welterweight) class of the Asian Youth Championships.
Three other PLDT-sponsored Filipinos topped their categories in the same competition with Jade Bornea claiming the light flyweight gold, Ian Clark Bautista ruling the flyweight class and James Palicte bagging the lightweight gold.
“Marcial is a prized discovery from our grassroots development program and one of those we know will carry the torch for the country in future competitions,” said Abap president Ricky Vargas.
The Asian confederation predicted that Marcial, who is turning 18 this year, will be a force to reckon with in the Asian Games slated this year in Incheon, South Korea.
The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines was commended for its impressive hosting of the Asian Youth Championships at the Subic Freeport in March last year.
Vargas shared the honor with the people who made the Subic tournament a success.
“We couldn’t have pulled it off without the blessings of our chair, Manny V. Pangilinan and the support of those in the MVP group who pitched in: PLDT, Smart, Maynilad (which Vargas also heads as president) and the MVP Sports Foundation,” said Vargas. “Thanks also to the Philippine Sports Commission.”
Meantime, the boxing medalists in the recent 27th Southeast Asian Games in Burma (Myanmar) are scheduled to receive their cash incentives from Abap officials next week.
All 10 Filipino boxers came home with medals. Three won the gold medal, four settled for silver and three clinched the bronze.
The Abap said a total of P2 million in incentives will be given out. Gold is worth P300,000, silver P200,000 and bronze P100,000.
