BINALBAGAN’S Ian Clark Bautista will take on Jose Kelvin de la Nieve of Spain today in the men’s flyweight (52 kgs.) of the 2016 World Qualification at Sarhadchi in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The 26-year- old Bautista, last year’s gold medalist in the 2015 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore, was the lone gold medalist for the Philippine Boxing Team in the 2014 China Open International Boxing Tournament in China.
Meanwhile, teammate Eumer Felix Marcial will square off with Abass Baraou of Germany in the men’s welterweight (69 kgs.).
The German pugilist advanced to the next round of the qualification after knocking out New Zealander Joshua Nyika in 26 seconds of the second round.
The June 16 to 25 event gathered 469 boxers (from 105 countries) aiming to clinch a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games to be staged in the state-of- the-art Rio Centro Pavilion 6 in Barra da Tijuca.
Aiba president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu said the competition has reached its final stages and an incredible number of athletes have registered for Baku, proving that reaching the Olympic Games is the ultimate goal for any boxer.
“Having brilliantly hosted the 2011 Aiba World Boxing Championships, Baku is perfectly suited to stage another first-class boxing event. I want to wish the best of luck to all the competitors in their efforts to fulfill their dreams,” he said.
Both Bautista and Marcial are looking forward to join Olympic-bound teammates Rogen Ladon (flyweight) of Bago City and Charly Suarez (lightweight) of Davao del Norte. The trio are currently training in the US under Abap training consultant Nonito Donaire Sr.
Both obtained their seats for Rio after succeeding in the Asia Oceania Olympic Qualifying tournament held in China. (HGD)