Tuesday, October 30, 2007 US pug standing in Payla's way
FILIPINO boxer Violito Payla is one win away from earning a slot to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but there's one big obstacle he has to hurdle first before making it to the greatest sporting show on earth.
Raushee Warren of the US represents that big stumbling block and it is going to be an explosive showdown when Payla takes on the flamboyant American on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) in the Round of 16 of the World Boxing Championships in Chicago.
The winner will advance to the quarterfinals of the flyweight class and, more importantly, secure a slot to the Beijing Games.
Both Payla and Warren are southpaws and excellent punchers in the lower weight class and with the two mixing it up in the ring should be exciting to watch considering the prize at stake.
Payla was devastating in his first two victories in the tournament so far. He first hacked out a lopsided win over Andrew Selby of Wales and was masterful in beating Khalid Said of England, 29-15.
Warren, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was also dominating in his wins thus far, including an RSC-O (referee-stopped-contest-outclassed) victory over Mexico's Avila Juarez Braulio.
Warren, who competed in the 2004 Athens Olympiad like Payla, says he hasn't seen a boxer faster than him yet in the tournament.
Now, Warren has a competitive opponent in the 28-year-old Payla, who can match his speed and is also a good counter-puncher like the American. (CRAM)
