Filipino boxers off off to good start in AIBA President’s Cup

PALEMBANG, Indonesia — Six Filipino boxers scored victories to kickstart Team Philippines’ campaign in the 22nd AIBA President’s Cup at the refurbished Palembang Sports and Convention Center here.

Eumir Felix Marcial, Mario Fernandez, Joel Bacho, Roldan Boncales Jr. and Junel Cantancio all notched wins in their respective categories while 2014 World Women’s Championships silver medal winner Nesthy Petecio also grabbed a triumph.
Marcial virtually schooled his Indonesian opponent Lodwicjk Batlayery, scoring heavily with wicked lefts that had his foe shaking his head, vainly trying to clear cobwebs. Mercifully, the referee stopped the fight after a second standing 8-count in the second round.

Myanmar SEA Games gold medalist and Incheon Asian Games bronze medalist Fernandez likewise made short work of Siguito Marquez of Timor Leste, stopping the latter in the second round with a cracking right cross that made the Timorese turn his back and hang on to the ropes in surrender.

Bacho had to go the full three rounds for a decision win against a tough Malaysian Asian and Commonwealth Games veteran, Khir Akyazlan Azmi.
Boncales used guile and speed to earn a unanimous decision over a tenacious Nat Sieknin of Cambodia.

The veteran Cantancio, nicknamed by his team mated “Unli” for his boundless energy and relentless attacking style, rained blows on Nguyen Van Hai and opened a nasty gash on the Vietnamese boxers’ right eyebrow which caused a TKO stoppage in the second round.
Only first timer Aldren Moreno (light flyweight), suffered a setback against the top Japanese in the division, Tsuboi Tomoya. It was a slam bang affair that had the crowd cheering as both fighters gave it their all.

Meanwhile, Petecio exacted revenge on her conqueror in the 2010 Barbados World Championships when she was but 17 years old, Russian Elena Savelyeva.
Petecio, now 23, and several inches shorter than the Savelyeva, sneaked in several clear head blows to thwart her rugged opponent.

The other Filipino women were unfortunate to bow in their opening matches. Palawan’s Maricris Igam lost to Indian Devi Sarjubala in a closely contested match.
First time internationalist Aira Villegas of Tacloban City took the fight early to another seasoned boxer from India, 25 year-old Pinki Rani but succumbed to the clever veteran in another tight match.

Riza Pasuit displayed unorthodox but very active moves but bowed to long-time Thai campaigner Tassamalee Thongjan, a World Championship bronze medalist.
“We’re quite satisfied with our performance here so far”. said ABAP Head Coach Pat Gaspi who is joined by Roel Velasco and Gerson Nietes.

“We could have had a better draw in the women’s category, but that’s how it is. None of our boxers lost badly, in fact some of our losses could have gone the other way. Still, we feel we are on track with our preparations for the SEA Games.”

The participation of ABAP here is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the MVP Sports Foundation.

The tournament drew 161 boxers from 19 countries and will end Saturday.

Source: interaksyon.com
Image: ABAP