Tañamor sigurado na sa bronze

CHICAGO, Illinois -- Ginulantang ni Harry Tañamor si American Luis Yanez, 17-7, upang makapasok sa semifinals ng International Amateur Boxing Association World Boxing Championships nitong Huwebes sa University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion dito.

Nakasiguro si Tañamor, isa sa RP-PLDT-Smart boxing team ng bronze medal sa lightflyweight class. Nanalo na din si Tañamor ng bronze medals sa 2001 at 2003 World Championships sa Belfast, Ireland at Bangkok, Thailand, ayon sa pagkakasunod.

‘‘Hindi ko makakalimutan ang gabing ito,” sabi ng 29-gulang na si Tañamor na nag-alay ng kanyang panalo kay boxing godfather Manny V. Pangilinan, chair ng PLDT-Smart.

Susunod niyang makakalaban si Anmat Ruenroeng ng Thailand sa semifinals nitong Biyernes ng gabi.

Pinabagsak ni Ruenroeng si Armenian Danielyan Hovhannes, 18-6 sa isa pang  quarterfinals showdown.

Gamit ang kanyang bilis at movement maagang nakontrol ni Tañamor si Yanez, ang reigning Pan American Games titlist. Nakaipon ng puntos ang Pinoy pug sa body blows para sa 12-5 lead.

‘’Harry boxed perfectly. He had the experience and the skills to neutralize Yanez,’’ ani head coach Patricio Gaspi. Gaspi noted that Tañamor’s hit and run tactic prevented Yanez from doing much damage.

Kahit talo, makakasama ni Yanez sina Tañamor, Ruenroeng, Hovhannes at apat pang boxers sa Beijing Olympics.

‘’I, for one, believe that Harry remains deadly as ever. He is in great shape as proven by his victory. The quality of competitions has improved greatly and ABAP is glad of Harry’s achievement,’’ ani ABAP president Manny T. Lopez  na nagdesisyong isama si Tañamor kahit medyo may edad na ito.