The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is sending eight up-and-coming fighters to compete in the ASBC Asian Under-22 Championships slated on Jan. 16 to 27 in Bangkok, Thailand.
This would be the first international stint in the association’s busy calendar year both for grassroots and elite boxers.
Competing in the men’s division are Mark Lester Durens (48kg), Aaron Jude Bado (51kg), Flint Jara (54kg), Jericho Acaylar (57kg), Mervin Luck Alcober (60kg) and Mark Ashley Fajardo (63.5kg).
Only Althea Shine Pores (48kg) and Mariel Talandrata (50kg), meanwhile, would be competing in the distaff side.
“Most of these are first timers, so the main goal really is to provide them exposure. These are the future of the team,” said ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo.
Aside from the Thailand tilt, ABAP also eyes to hold the National Championships either this month or in February as part of strengthening their talent-identification program.
While focus would be on the elite boxers vying for berths in the 2024 Paris Olympics, ABAP still continues on bolstering their programs at the grassroots level.
Other tournaments for its junior and youth fighters are the ASBC Asian Youth & Junior Boxing Championships on Aug. 1 to 14 at a still undisclosed venue and the ASBC Asian Schoolboys & Girls Boxing Championships on Oct. 1 to 7 in Saudi Arabia.