FILIPINO boxers will begin to hunt for Olympic berths at the World Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, in April next year. The tournament is the first direct qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A total of 44 total quota spots will be rewarded across 14 Olympic weight categories — seven each for men and women. Carlo Paalam, the lone Philippine boxer to make the podium at the just-concluded Asian Games in Japan, is expected to lead the charge for the Filipino pugs. Paalam claimed a silver medal in the men’s 55-kilogram class after a controversial split decision loss to home bet Rui Yamaguchi in Nagoya. Paalam’s fellow Olympians Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas are seen as the top bets for the Philippines in the women’s side. Paalam is a silver medalist at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, while Petecio likewise snared silver in Tokyo and bronze at the 2024 Paris Games. Villegas took her bronze medal in Paris as well. If the Filipino pugs could not secure Olympic berths in Astana, they can still make the Games in three tournaments. Offering Olympic spots are the Asian qualifier in China and two final world qualifying tournaments in 2028. The schedule for the three tournaments hasn’t been released yet.