Roach finds new winners for RP boxing

FREDDIE Roach did not have ready praises for the national men’s boxing team but the world’s top trainer, he with the keen eye for winners, said he would be disappointed if our boxers failed to land medals in this year’s Southeast Asian Games.

How’s that again?

“The girls can really fight,” Roach told Eddie Alinea and his sergeants in last Friday’s Scoop sa Kamayan forum.

“The girls,” Roach continued, “are very talented.”

* * *

The national men’s and women’s boxing teams were quietly formed last week.

Ed Picson, executive director of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, bared the composition of the two squads over the weekend.

Forming the men’s team are Bill Vicera, Harry Tañamor, Joan Tipon, Charlie Suarez, Rey. Saludar and Joegin Ladon. Picson said these boxers “won in the box offs and gave the best impressions on judges.”

Roach, in a way, had a hand in the selection as a member of the panel during the Baguio boxoff.

* * *

Picson said Roach noted that the male boxers have the boxing sense. “But he said the boys could use more international exposure,” Picson said.

“Roach said they should also throw more punches,” he added.

Manny Pacquiao’s head trainer did not single out anybody among the men. But one boxer who clearly caught his fancy was veteran Annie Albania.

“She’s very cocky, confident and aggressive,” Roach said.

* * *

Of course, Roach was the least surprised when told later that Albania was a silver medalist in the world championship.Anyway, forming the women’s squad are Josie Gabuco, Annie Albania, Alice Kate Aparri and Michelle Martinez.

“The girls have techniques and they fight like professionals,” Roach noted with obvious glee.

* * *

He added: “It’s good to see good female boxers here in the Philippines. I actually think that the girls are better than the boys.”

Roach did not say it, but would he also be gratified if the men’s team matches or beats the women in medal production in this year’s Laos Southeast Asian Games?

Both squads will be facing the formidable Thais, perennial Filipino boxing rivals, in Laos.

* * *

Anyway, with the inclusion of women’s boxing in the 2012 Olympics, a new development in the area of medal expectations has started.

Actually, even before Roach could give the big nod to members of the RP women’s team, local boxing authorities were being quietly needled about the possibility of a Filipina boxer beating her male counterpart in the race to win the country’s first Olympic gold medal.

In fact, there were misgivings on the formation of the RP men’s team to the Laos Games after this was again dominated by recycled internationalists headed by Harry Tañamor and Joan Tipon.

This, of course, cannot be said of the RP women’s squad.

“There could still be changes in the men’s team, for whatever reason,” Ed Picson explained.

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/columns/columns/view/20091026-232427/Roach-finds-new-winners-for-RP-boxing