Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam–INQUIRER file photos
Olympic-bound Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam have not lost their spunk despite the lack of international sparring for more than a year.
Petecio, the women’s featherweight world champion, was the better boxer atop the ring after defeating fellow Olympian Sudaporn Seesondee in the first of two mini tournaments that Team Philippines will go through against Thailand’s national team. Paalam likewise passed the test when the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games light flyweight champion emerged victorious in the dual meet held in Samui, Thailand, against Thitisan Panmod, who also booked a spot in the Tokyo Olympics.
Irish Magno, however, wasn’t as lucky opposite Chuthamat Raksat in the women’s 51kg division, dropping her first foreign competition on points since securing an Olympic berth in the Asia-Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament in Amman, Jordan, early March last year. “We have arranged a sparring/competition with Thailand’s national team after our boxers came from a long quarantine,’’ said Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines secretary general Ed Picson.
Formidable foes
Raksat fought in the 2019 SEA Games, but bowed out in the early round against eventual light flyweight gold medalist Josie Gabuco.
The 28-year-old Petecio met a decorated boxer in Seesondee, a 29-year-old silver-medal performer in the 2018 Aiba Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India, and the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Panmod was no easy picking for Paalam, either. The 20-year-old gold medalist in the 2018 Aiba Youth World Boxing Championships in Budapest claimed his slot in Tokyo with a silver medal in the flyweight division of the continental qualifier in Jordan. Before setting up a training camp in the island of Samui two weeks ago, Filipino boxers warmed up in a bubble training at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna province. Light welter James Palicte lost his bout versus Khunatip Pidnuch, Marjon Piannar fumbled against Wuttichai Masuk in the 69kg division while Aira Villegas and Junmilardo Ogayre fell to their opponents as well. INQ