Top Filipino fighters, including Tokyo silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, leave for Australia for a two-week training camp, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines head coach Pat Gaspi said yesterday.
“The elite fighters and those also eyeing to compete in the qualifiers are going,” Gaspi said, noting that about 14 to 16 fighters are taking part.
The Australian stint will also see the fighters participate in pocket tournaments geared towards two qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
So far, only Tokyo bronze medalist Eumir Marcial has earned a Paris slot after finishing second in the light-heavyweight division of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.
But Marcial is doubtful for the camp in Australia as he is eagerly awaiting word about his fifth professional fight being targeted for March.
There are only two remaining Paris qualifiers taking place in February and June.
The first is going to be held from 29 February to 12 March in Busto Arsizio in Italy while the second one will be staged from 23 May to 3 June in Bangkok.
