Carlo Paalam leads Team Philippines; ABAP sets realistic goals at World Boxing Championships

The top boxers from the Philippines are set to represent the country at the upcoming World Boxing Championships, scheduled to begin in Liverpool, United Kingdom, on Friday, September 5.

Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam will lead the seven-member Philippine contingent. The other boxers aiming to bring honor to the country are Jay Bryan Baricuatro, Junmilardo Ogayre, Mark Ashley Fajardo, Ronald Chavez Jr., Ofelia Magno, and Riza Pasuit.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas confirmed in a media interaction that they are not placing high expectations on the boxers, instead treating the tournament as an opportunity to assess the potential of each fighter.

Pugilists Mark Ashley Fajardo, Junmilardo Ogayre, Ofelia Magno and Jay Bryan Baricuatro are expected to join Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam, along with Riza Pasuit and Ronald Chavez Jr., who are already in Britain for early training.https://t.co/7xxfom7jhi

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“I will be happy if they win a bronze medal. We would like to reassess what our capabilities are and what else we could improve,” Vargas said.

The 73-year-old added that he would be pleased if even one member of the boxing contingent found a place on the podium.

“We are hopeful Carlo Paalam will be able to get at least a bronze medal. I just want him to get back in shape, and I think this tournament will help,” he added.

Vargas also shared that ABAP will set up a training camp in Thailand to prepare the national team for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, scheduled to start on December 9 in Bangkok.

“We will have to adjust to the new weight categories. It will be a new kind of training for the boxers,” Vargas concluded.

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