MAKAKATUWANG ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) si boxing legend at Senador Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquaio sa paghahanap ng mga bagong talento at muling pagpapalawak ng interes ng mga Pinoy sa sports na boxing sa pagsasagawa ng 2017 PSC-Pacquaio Amateur Boxing Cup na magsisimula sa Disyembre 16-17 sa Gen. Santos City.
Ang PSC-Pacquaio Amateur Boxing Cup ay kada weekend lamang gaganapin at dadayo ito sa iba-ibang lugar sa bansa para hanapin at puntiryahin ang mga potensiyal na amateur boxers na mabibigyan ng tsansa na mapabilang sa pool ng mga national boxers.
“The project calls for the nationwide development on the interest and participation in boxing as a sport. The ultimate goal is to tap promising boxers who will show potential during the competition. The project also aims to encourage these boxers to develop love for the sports during their formative years,” sabi ni PSC Games Secretariat chief Annie Ruiz, na makakasama si PSC-PSI consultant Roger Fortaleza sa pagsasagawa ng proyekto.
Pagkatapos ng Gen. Santos ay tutungo ang torneyo sa Kidapawan City, Cagayan De Oro City, Davao City, Tagum City at magbabalik sa General Santos City.
“There will be a maximum of 16 entries per weight category for all divisions. For the youth boys division, entries will be on five (5) weight categories, and four (4) for the girls division. For the junior boys and girls division, entries will be on five (5) weight classes. Tournament days will be for a total of 6 weekends,” sabi ni Ruiz.
Darayo rin ang programa sa Visayas (Ormoc City, Bago City, Antique, Bohol at Maasin City) at Luzon (Sorsogon, Lucena, Pangasinan, Baguio City at Mandaluyong City).
Paglalabanan sa Junior boys and girls division para sa edad 15-16 anyos ang limang kategorya na pinweight (44-46kg), light flyweight (48kg), flyweight (50kg), light bantamweight (52kg) at bantamweight (54kg).
Nakataya naman sa Youth boys and girls division na para sa mga may edad 17-18 ang limang kategorya na light flyweight (46-49kg), flyweight (52kg), bantamweight (56kg), lightweight (60kg) at light welterweight (64kg). —Angelito Oredo