Five RP Boxers To Compete in Milan Championships
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Five of the country’s finest amateur prospects will compete in the tough International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) World Boxing Championships in Milan, Italy from September 1 to 12.
ABAP executive director Ed Picson said the lineup was formed after deliberations by the national coaching staff led by head coach Pat Gaspi. It followed a series of eliminations involving local and international tournaments.
Of the nine boxers currently in training in Havana, Cuba, the five chosen to banner the Philippine campaign in Milan are Olympian, 2007 World Championship light flyweight silver medalist and World Cup champion Harry Tañamor, 2006 Doha Asian Games bantamweight gold medalist Joan Tipon who stunned favored Worapoj Petchkoom of Thailand and beat Han Soon Chul of Korea 21-10 in the finals.
Tipon earlier won gold in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games beating Thailand’s Tangtong Klongjian 24-5 in the finals. However, in the 2007 World Championship in Chicago Tipon lost to Worapoj 5-13.
The other members of the Philippine team are featherweight Charly Suarez, lightweight Joegin Ladon, and light welterweight Genebert Basadre.
Picson, who was with the boxers during their training stint in Cuba said the training has been going well with valuable sparring time provided by the Cuban, Venezuelan and Brazilian national teams. The five boxers will fly directly from Havana to Milan on Friday.
PLDT Global corporation, an international company under the umbrella of the giant PLDT-Smart conglomerate headed by eminent businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan, is a major sponsor of the Philippine participation in the tournament via their mobile phone service Smart Pinoy, which services OFW's in Italy, Hongkong and Singapore.
PLDT Global Corporation president Al Panlilio expressed elation at the chance to provide assistance. Panlilio said “We feel honored with this opportunity to backstop our Filipino boxers in this epic international battle. We hope our humble contribution to this national effort will bring honor and pride to our people,” he said.
Picson said that while the Philippine Sports Commission headed by chairman Harry Angping funded the boxers' trip, all other incidental expenses are being borne by Smart Pinoy.
Former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas is president of the Amateur Boxing Association and has been commended for his efforts to work with regional representatives and boxing enthusiasts in the continuing quest for an elusive Olympic gold medal.
