Philippines' Nesthy Petecio reacts after beating China's Xu Zichun (Blue) in the women's 57kg quarter-final boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on August 4, 2024. Mohd Rasfan, AFP

MANILA -- Filipino pugilists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial remain hopeful that boxing will be included in the program for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, amidst uncertainties surrounding their sport.

Petecio and Marcial have both brought glory to the country in the past two editions of the Summer Games. Marcial was a bronze medalist in Tokyo in 2021, while Petecio is the first Filipino boxer to win two Olympic medals, with a silver in Tokyo and a bronze in the recent Paris Olympics.

"Sa akin naman sobrang laki ng tiwala ko talaga, malaki yung kumpiyansa ko na hindi siya pababayaan. Hindi siya basta basta tatanggalin kasi LA yan. Ang daming athletes, ang daming boxer sa LA," Petecio told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of a sports apparel brand's event on Monday.

READ: Petecio falls short against Polish foe, takes home bronze

The Filipina boxer said the Los Angeles Summer Games may be her last ride, given that she will be 36 years old by 2028. 

She believes there are many countries, especially the Philippines, who will fight for boxing's inclusion. 

"Ang dami rin na ibang bansa na pinapaglaban yung boxing, number one ang Pilipinas, hindi sila pumapayag. So ang laki ng kumpiyansa ko. Si Lord na na bahala doon kasi alam niya gusto ko pa ito eh," she added.

Marcial had suffered an early exit in Paris after losing in his opening bout, raising doubts if he should give the Olympics another try or focus on his professional career.

READ: Olympic journey ends for Eumir Marcial after loss to Uzbek foe

On a personal level, Marcial believes having boxing at risk for 2028 would sidetrack his goal for redemption and derail his shot at the elusive Olympic gold. 

"Sa akin, malaking epekto din yun actually dahil nung nakapag-reflect na po ako, naisip ko na lahat ng bagay na nangyari sa akin. Nung nagkaroon na ako ulit ng gana na bumalik sa boxing, still Olympics yun parin yung ano ko, yung ultimate dream ko. Kaya kung mawala yung boxing, para ako ulit mawalan ng pangarap. So sana po," he told ABS-CBN News.

The 28-year-old believes the non-inclusion of boxing in the next Summer Games will have a huge impact on the youth and those who want to pursue the sport.

"Malaki epekto nun sa mga youth ngayon, sa mga aspiring boxer na nangangarap maging isang Nesthy Petecio, maging isang Eumir Marcial, maging isang Aira Villegas or maging Onyok Velasco, yung mga medalist natin sa Olympics. So mawawalan din sila ng pangarap. Kaya hopefully meron parin boxing sa LA Olympics. And I'm sure meron parin yan. Let's go," Marcial added.

Should boxing not be included in LA 2028, what's next for the two boxers?

"If ever man po wala talagang boxing sa LA Olympics, yun na nga. Andiyan yung next generation na mga kabataan mga teammates ko na youth and junior. Unti-unti na din lumalakas yung kababaihan," Petecio said.

The two-time Olympic medalist hopes sports leaders and officials reflect on what led to boxing being removed from the list of sports in LA 2028.

Petecio is looking forward to seeing her nieces and nephews or even her own child in the Olympic boxing ring someday.

"Kung mawala siya, sana marealize ng lahat po na humahawak sa boxing kung anong dahilan talaga kung bakit natanggal. Yun nga if ever na mabalik, kung hindi man ako makakalaro sa LA, kung last Olympics ko na ito, inaabangan ko yung pamangkin ko. Or maybe yung magiging anak ko. Sana lang tutuloy hanggang sa makuha yung ginto," she shared.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier said there must be a new boxing partner by 'early 2025' for the sport to be included in the next Summer Games.

The IOC stripped the International Boxing Association (AIBA) of the right to run boxing tournaments since Tokyo 2020. 

One of the candidates may be the new organization named World Boxing launched last year, which has yet to be recognized by the IOC.

The IOC earlier said it wants boxing to be in the program in LA and urged the boxing community to create a new global governing body.

Boxing has been a bright spot for the Philippines at the Olympics, with 10 of the country's 18 medals coming from the sport.

Not having boxing on the LA 2028 program will be a huge blow for the country.

READ: Nesthy Petecio returns to hometown, reflects on humble beginnings

PREPARATIONS FOR LA 2028Philippines' Eumir Felix Marcial (in red) connects with a punch on Uzbekistan's Turabek Khabibullaev in the men's 80kg preliminaries round of 16 boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on July 30, 2024. Mohd Rasfan, AFP

While the fate of boxing hangs in the balance, Petecio and Marcial say training will go on as scheduled since the sport continues.

The two-time Olympic medalist said she will zoom in on recovery and her power, citing changes in her body in the coming years.

"Mas magfofocus ako sa recovery talaga. Mga pagkain na tinatake ko, vitamins, so si ma'am Jeaneth na bahala diyan. Yun talaga ang napansin ko din. Kasi ang hirap ko nang mag-recover agad agad. Kulang na yung dalawang araw na walang laro. Hindi kagaya nung bata bata pa ako isang araw sobrang mabilis mag recover ng katawan ko," Petecio said.

"Doon talaga magfofocus ako sa power. Ang galing nga ng kapatid kong si Norlan, siya yung sparring partner ko sa papunta sa Paris. Dalawa yan sila ni Ogaire. Sabi niya sakin na, alam niya din eh. So sinabi niya na nababawasan yung speed ko. So sinabi niya talaga na mag focus ka na sa power mo," she added.

After reflecting on his early exit in Paris, Marcial said he has decided to focus on his pro career for now. He's not closing his doors on the Olympics, which he said is his ultimate dream.

"Magfofocus ako sa professional career ko dahil hindi na ako babata eh. Kailangan ko sulitin ito, ibigay yung time sa professional career ko. Kasi especially dito sa pro, very important yung age din eh. Habang malakas ako, ito yung peak na, yung peak ko ngayon. Kaya kailangan ko magfocus sa pro career ko," he said.

Marcial cited the challenges and sacrifices one must make in order to prepare for the Olympics, saying its difficult to balance this with a pro career.

"Four years pa so sabihin natin like three years from now, kahit world champion na ako andun ako sa ranking. May one year pa ako para kahit isang tournament lang eh. Lumaban ako ng isang tournament, nag qualify ako pwede parin ako mag represent sa LA Olympics. Pero kung hihintayin ko pa yung four years bago ako mag focus sa pro, super late na diba?" he added.

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