Philippines, 29 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SIX BOXERS VYING FOR SLOTS IN LONDON OLYMPICS COMPETE IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS


PhilBoxing.com



Rey Saludar.
Guangzhou Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar leads a six-man team of fighters to the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan Friday to vie for slots in the first major qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Summer Games.

The top eight boxers from the different weight divisions in the tournament set from Sept. 26 to Oct. 8 will advance to the London Olympiad.

An Asian Olympic qualifying tournament is scheduled in Kazakhstan early next year, but it is in the World Championship where the Filipino boxers have their best shot.

Saludar will compete in the 52-kilogram flyweight division. Joining him are light flyweight Anthony Barriga (46-49 kgs), bantamweight Joan Tipon (56kgs), lightweight Charly Suarez (60kgs), light welterweight Rolando Tacuyan (64kgs), and welterweight Delfin Boholst (69kg

The Filipinos are expected to have a hard time against crack boxers from Russia, the US where pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach was enlisted to help the Americans and the hometown fighters of Azerbaijan.

According to AIBA, the International Amateur Boxing Association, the reigning European Men's Elite Champion Salman Alizada is among the favorites. A light flyweight and 2010 AIBA Youth World Champion, Alizada was the youngest gold medalist in the history of the European Championships in Ankara this year.

Saludar will have to contend with European Championships silver medalist and European Youth Champion, 20-year-old Elvin Mamishzada, will take part. The young competitor moved up a weight class this year and will hope to reach the Top 10 in front of his home crowd.

Qatar 2006 Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon who competes in the bantamweight division as a last minute substitute for Junel Cantancio who was downed by the flu. Among the outstanding fighters in the division will be No. 1 ranked WSB Baku Fires boxer and Great Silk Road Tournament silver medalist, Rahim Najafov, is part of the Azeri elite team since 2005.

AIBA reported that despite his young age (23), he has enough experience at the international level to aim at his best performance ever during the event in Baku.

In the lightweight division multi-titled Charly Suarez will carry Philippine hopes while hosts Azerbaijan will pin its hopes on Youth Olympic Games silver medalist and AIBA Youth World Championships bronze medalist, 19-year-old Elvin Isayev.

Isayev moved up into the lightweight class last year and had enough time to get used to his new weight. Isayev defeated Panamerican Champion, Cuban Yasnier Toledo, at the Strandja Tournament and might be Azerbaijan's secret weapon.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Deaño settles to a draw
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow
    , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • 4th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.