Sunday, November 04, 2007 Harry rages on, one more to gold
FILIPINO light flyweight campaigner Harry Tañamor continues to make wonders as he is now a win away from the gold medal in the ongoing International Amateur Boxing Association (Aiba) World Championships held at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion yesterday.
The 29-year-old Athens Olympian defeated Thai-land’s strong bet Amnat Ruenroeng, 16-8, points margin to march into the gold medal round of the 48-kg. weight class against the reigning No. 1 Zou Shiming of China, who just hammered Nordine Oubaali of France, 21-1, forcing a Referee Stopped Contest Outscored (RSC-OS) at the 1:16 of the third round.
Record
Zou won the gold medal in the 48-kg. weight class in 2005 World Championship held in Bangkok, Thailand and a bronze medal during the 2004 Athens Olympics, where Tañamor was eliminated in the Round of 32.
Tañamor was tentative in the opening round as Ruenroeng chalked 2-0 lead.
However, Tañamor stepped on his offensive arsenal to turn the tide around and build a 5-4 lead at the end of the second round.
The Zamboanga City-native displayed his vast ring experience and savvy as he made Ruenroeng a moving target to score 6-2 and increase his lead to 11-6.
Strategy
Left with no choice but to engage the veteran opponent, Ruenroeng tried to get Tañamor in an exchange but the Filipino fighter was too quick and classy to score another 5-2 round for the final tally.
It will be a hilly climb for Tañamor in the finals today, but his vast experience would come in handy against the tough and slick punching Zou.
Tañamor assured himself of another slot in the Olympics after he made it to the quarterfinal round by defeating Sherali Dostiev of Tajikistan last Wednesday, then march to the semifinal round after beating the highly-favored Luis Yañez of USA in the quarterfinal round.
Hope
Tañamor, however, is the only Filipino amateur who will bring a medal after six other entries fell short in their respective campaigns.
Olympian Violito Payla (51 kgs.) did not get past the third round, Joan Tipon (54 kgs.) was eliminated in the first round, Charly Suarez (57 kgs.) lost in the first round, Genebert Basadre (60 kgs.) lasted until the third round, Delfin Bohoust (64 kgs.) was eliminated in the first round and Silforbo Lopez (69 kgs.) failed to go past the first round. (RCM)
