|
|
|
31st KING'S CUP: NIETES ENTERS SEMIS PhilBoxing.com Wed, 08 Apr 2009 BANGKOK ? Light flyweight Gerson Nietes barged into the semifinals of the 31st King?s Cup boxing tournament Monday, but the campaign of two other Smart-Team Philippine bets came to a dramatic halt at the Convention Center of the Gnamwongwan Mall here. In what turned out to be the only bright spot of the day, Nietes hurdled another huge opponent, outsmarting Russian Alexander Samoylov, 7-3. The underdog Nietes, nephew of world minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes, fought an intelligent fight in posting one of the biggest upsets in the competition and arranging a semifinal duel Tuesday against former Southeast Asian Games medalist Kaaw Pongprayoon of host Thailand. ?Okey lang, I will just fight my fight, and see what happens tomorrow," said the recent graduate from Emiliano Lizares High in Bacolod. There will be no tomorrow, however, for bantamweight Joan Tipon and lightweight Joegin Ladon. Tipon, a gold medal winner in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, fell to wily Chatchai Butdee of Thailand, 11-5, while Ladon, who suffered a nasty cut from an errant elbow during his smashing 15-5 victory over Amangeldi Hudaybergenov of Turkmenistan, was pulled out of his semifinal bout for his safety. The Philippine contingent felt Tipon?s fight was closer, but agreed the Bacolod native could have been more aggressive against a fighter who looked inferior in boxing skills. "Parang na-pressure ako masyado nung lamangan agad ako kahit pakiramdam ko wala namang scoring punches," lamented the 26-year-old father of three. Ladon, meanwhile came up big with good lateral movements to set up angles for three- and four-punch combos that bewildered his opponent. But he got careless in the final minute and engaged his taller opponent in close quarters and took an elbow under his right eye. The referee immediately summoned the ringside physician as blood flowed from the cut. The fight was continued and the Army conscript went on to secure his ticket in the semifinals against Thai Atchariya Heawsuno. Chief Physician Dr. Ort of Norway gave Ladon the green light to fight Tuesday but not after warning Ed Picson, head of the RP delegation and executive director of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, that the cut could be aggravated when hit. Picson, in consultation with coaches Ronald Chavez and Elmer Pamisa, decided not to put the Bago City fighter in further danger and settled for the bronze medal. "I didn't think it was worth it,? said Picson. ?Dr.Ort said that unless Ladon could guarantee that his cut would not be hit, his injury could worsen and could bother him in future fights. Considering that he was to go up against a Thai, I felt prudence was the better part of valor in this situation.? Vetreran Genebert Basadre on the other hand, will have Korea's Joon Buk Hwan as his semis opponent in the 64 Kg light welterweight class. With Ladon assured of a bronze and Nietes and light welterweight Genebert Basadre still in the hunt for the gold, Team RP, whose campaign was bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, remains on track for a productive finish. According to referee-judge Jesus San Esteban, who is officiating the tournament with Dante de Castro, the best Filipino showing was a two-medal haul in 1991. Those were shiny gold medals, however, provided by current national coaches Ronald Chavez and Roehl Velasco. ABAP chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Patrick Gregorio are in constant touch with the group through Picson, sending messages of encouragement and support. |
|
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 © 2025 philboxing.com. |