PH seeks to extend boxing reign in Vietnam SEA Games

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 1) – The Philippines is seeking to extend its regional supremacy in boxing by fielding a loaded lineup for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial lead the 10-strong Philippine boxing team in the May 15-22 tournament.

The Filipinos dished out their best form in the 2019 SEA Games held on home soil, where they ruled the tournament after harvesting seven golds, three silvers, and two bronzes.

In Vietnam, Petecio will not defend her featherweight (57kg) title as she scaled up to the lightweight (60kg) division.

Boosted by his Olympic experience and his recent win as a professional boxer, Marcial is expected to perform better in his middleweight (75kg) title defense in Hanoi.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo, who shared the Philippine boxing team roster to CNN Philippines, said Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam will not be around for the Filipino boxers’ campaign in Vietnam.

“Carlo is still catching up with his competition form,” he said.

Rio Olympics campaigner Rogen Ladon will instead carry the country’s fight in the flyweight (52kg) category, where he is the defending champion.

2019 SEA Games gold medalist James Palicte (63kg), silver medalist Marjon Piañar (69kg), and bronze medalist Ian Clark Bautista (57kg) will return to duplicate or improve from their performance three years ago.

Tokyo Olympics campaigner and 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Irish Magno (51kg) will join Petecio in the lineup of Filipina boxers competing in Vietnam.

National team veteran Josie Gabuco is listed to defend her light flyweight (48kg) crown in Hanoi, while past SEA Games silver medalist Riza Pasuit hopes to clinch the gold in the featherweight division (57kg).

Hergie Bacyadan, a former national wushu team standout, will make her SEA Games debut as a boxer, a month after bagging the gold medal in the women’s middleweight (75kg) category in the 2022 Thailand Open.