Las Vegas, USA—Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is in Las Vegas to show his full support for Manny Pacquiao and two other Filipino boxers competing on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) at the MGM Grand Garden.
Tolentino, accompanied by POC Secretary-General Atty. Wharton Chan, also visited the Knuckleheads gym on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines). The gym is owned by international matchmaker Sean Gibbons, who is also the president of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions. Their visit was to meet the Filipino boxers training there.
“We are very thankful to Sean [Gibbons] and Manny Pacquiao for taking care of our Filipino boxers who fight for the pride of our country,” Tolentino said.
He added that the POC might collaborate with MP Promotions in the future, potentially seeking representation for professional boxers in the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics, as professional boxing is now permitted in the Games.
Tolentino emphasized that they would first seek permission from Gibbons if they identify potential Olympic talents from his promotions.
Eumir Felix Marcial, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, welcomed Tolentino’s visit.
Marcial, who is undefeated in five professional fights with three knockouts, is set to face American Bernard Joseph in an eight-round undercard bout.
The main event will see Manny Pacquiao challenge reigning World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Another Filipino boxer, Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo, will go against Jorge Mata Cuellar of Mexico in a super featherweight match.
“We are praying that Pacquiao, Marcial, and Magsayo will win and be safe in their respective fights. We will be watching them live to show our support,” Tolentino said, noting that Sean’s son, Parker, also welcomed them warmly.
In addition to Marcial, Tolentino met with other Filipino boxers including middleweight prospect Weljon Mindoro, former world super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, bantamweights Vincent Astrolabio and Jonas Sultan, and super bantamweight Carl Jammes Martin.
Tolentino mentioned he “brought them some box of sardines from Zamboanga City. It was good to see them.”
