CHICAGO, Illinois -- Pinabagsak ni Asian Games gold medalist Violito Payla si Khalid Said ng England, 29-15 upang makapasok sa round of 16 nitong Sabado sa International Amateur Boxing Association World Boxing Championships sa University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion dito.
Sumandal ang 28-gulang na si Payla sa kanyang impresibong counter-punching upang dominahin si Said at itakda ang pakikipagharap kay American Olympian Rau’shee Warren sa Miyerkules at makapasok sa quarterfinals.
Kung mananalo si Payla ay makakasama ito sa 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Binugbog ni Warren, 2005 World Championships bronze medalists, si Braulio Juarez ng Mexico sa pamamagitan ng Referee-Stopped-Contest-outscored win (23-3, second round).
‘‘I’m ready to face anyone in my class. Even today, I’m willing to fight Warren,” ani Payla, na dumurog kay Welshman Andrew Selby sa preliminaries noong Huwebes.
Umabante si Payla sa 8-3 sa pagtatapos ng first round at hindi na namroblema pa dahil tuluy-tuloy ang kanyang pag-ani ng puntos sa kanyang mahusay na counter-punching.
‘‘Payla did the right things after dominating the first round,’’ sabi ni coach Pat Gaspi na gaya ni Payla ay miyembro ng Philippine Army. ‘‘He dictated the tempo of the match right from the start.’’
Kasamang mag-eensayo ni Payla ang iba pang miyembro ng RP-PLDT-Smart boxing team sa UIC Physical Education building.
‘‘Payla needs to keep his deadly form. Our mission is not yet finished,’’ ani Gaspi na nagsabing underdog si Payla kay Warren.