As is customary with many AIBA federations when given the chance, the Philippines youth national team has taken the opportunity to stop in Cuba for a training camp, this time on the eve of the 1st AIBA Youth World Championships Guadalajara 2008 which starts in Mexico on Saturday.

The Philippines, who will be represented by five boxers - Gerson Nietes Jr., Welbeth Loberanis, Glicerio Catolico III, Aston Francis Palicte and Rolando Tacuyan, have also been joined in the capital city of Havana by boxers from Colombia, El Salvador Spain, and hometown Cuba.

Philippines media says that team coaching staff member Elias Recaido Jr., a gold medallist in the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games, believes the AIBA Youth World Championships Guadalajara 2008 will provide very good training exposure for his athletes and he hopes they will be ready for their stint in the AIBA World Championships which is also part of the Philippines' preparations for other international competitions, including the 2012 London Olympics.

The eight day AIBA Youth World Championships Guadalajara 2008 featuring the best 17 and 18 year olds from around the world has attracted a record number of entries with 359 boxers from 68 countries registered to take part.