MANILA, Philippines - There is a good chance that lightweight boxer Charly Suarez might join the Philippine team competing in the London Olympics in July.
Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson disclosed this on Tuesday, adding that the 23-year-old is being considered by the Tripartite Commission to earn a free ticket to the Games.
Composed of the International Boxing Federation (AIBA), the International Olympic Committee and the London Games Organizing Committee, the Tripartite Commission will decide who will be awarded the lone quota for the lightweight (60kg) class in the Asian Region.
Tripartite quotas were also given in the Americas (49kg and 52kg), Africa (91kg and +91Kg), and Europe (64kg and 81kg). One quota will also be given from any Asian boxer in the 69kg class.
"We wrote to them already and our letter is actually endorsed by Manny Pacquiao, who showed his full support to his fellow Mindanao fighter," said Picson.
"Charly is not yet guaranteed of the seat, but maganda ang chance niya," he added.
Suarez, a native of Davao del Norte, settled for silver in the AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying in Astana, Kazakhstan last month after losing to Chinese boxer Liu Qiang, 11-15. Liu's win earned him the lone Olympic berth in their weight division.
Meanwhile, ABAP is looking at sending its boxers to training camps upon the invitation from their counterparts from Mongolia and Great Britain.
