National boxing coach Nolito Velasco retires
FILE – National coach Nolito Velasco with boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez.
MANILA, Philippines—National boxing coach Nolito “Boy” Velasco has retired and will effectively leave his post at the end of the year, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) announced Wednesday.
Velasco, the oldest brother of Mansueto “Onyok” and Roel Velasco, sent a letter to ABAP informing the national sporting association of his decision to leave the national boxing team.
“I am looking forward to enjoy my retirement with my family as I give them the time and effort I missed because of working,” wrote Velasco.
Velasco, while not fighting for an Olympic podium himself, was his younger brother Roel’s trainer during his bronze medal finish 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
He then guided their youngest brother Onyok to the silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
The 58-year-old’s final Olympic success was leading Nesthy Petecio to the silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the first time a female Filipino boxer made the podium in the Summer Games.
ABAP has accepted Velasco’s resignation through a letter that president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Ed Picson signed.
“We wish you well in your future endeavors,” the two officials said in response to Velasco’s letter.
