(AUG 21) The Amateur boxing team got
a pleasant surprise when WBO and IBA Super bantamweight World
Champion Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton led the welcoming party at the
San Francisco International airport upon their arrival.
The Team led by Mr. Ed Picson was
very excited to arrive to the states for their training and the
entire team was shocked and excited to meet the only Filipina
World Champion for the first time. "It was nice for Ana to be
here to make time for our Amateur National team. The team
getting a chance to meet her and train with her for a few days
will give them inspiration to be even better" said USF boxing
Head Coach Angelo Merino who is one of the people responsible
for bringing the team to the Bay Area for the Invitational
Competition held at the University of San Francisco Gym.
National Coach Roel Velasco (who
is the Olympic Bronze medalist in 1992 held in Barcelona) was
one of the first people to greet Ana along with light flyweight
SEAGames Gold Medalist Alice Kate Appari.
Ana Julaton is preparing for a
fight in October in Manila recently came back to the Bay Area
for a few weeks from Wild Card Gym where she discussed the next
fight in the works with famed trainer Freddie Roach. She is
continuing to improve her strength conditioning program with
Coach Lauro Doroliat at Sessions Training gym is in San
Francisco.
Julaton will be training
alongside the RP team Friday afternoon at the University of San
Francisco facility, which will be a rare opportunity to watch
and learn from one of the only 3 remaining World Champions
representing the Filipino Nation (Manny Pacquiao and Donnie
Nietes being the other two) Julaton known to be a "Work out
fanatic" is extremely excited to see the team in action,
particularly the Women's team.
Julaton said, "It was always a
dream of mine to compete in the Olympics unfortunately women's
boxing was not allowed when I was an amateur, now they finally
allowed it in the 2012 Olympics. I know with the great coaches
and great work ethic our team will do very well. I'm so proud of
Annie, Alice Kate, Josie and Nesty for just being here today and
not giving up on the dream of being an Olympian. I know first
hand how difficult it is to be a Filipina in the sport of
boxing. I believe they will make everyone Proud!" said the
always modest champion."
Ana also expressed how honored
she was to meet Olympic Bronze Medalist Roel Velasco and will
help in whatever way she can. The Team will be doing an
exhibition at the University of San Francisco Gym Saturday
August 21st at 4pm. The most anticipated match up that day is
scheduled to be between Flyweight Annie Albania and USA National
Champion Light Flyweight Jessica Ponce.
1st picture is with Womens Team Josie Gabuco (2009 SEA Games
Gold Medalist Pinweight), Alice Kate Appari (2009 SEA Games Gold
Medalist lightflyweight), Ana Julaton 3 time World Champion,
Coach Roel Velasco (1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist)
2nd Picture is with Nesthy Petecio (2010 MVP International
Tournament Gold Medalist Bantamweight), ABAP Executive director
Ed Picson and wife, 3 time World Champion Ana Julaton and Annie
Albania (2009 SEA Games Gold Medalist Flyweight)
