Young pug earns quarters berth

KARACHI, PAKISTAN — The youngest of the four-man RP-Alaxan FR boxing team fought like a grizzled veteran.

Nineteen-year old Jennibert Basadre outclassed Dipendra Maharjan of Nepal, 24-10, to earn a quarterfinal seat in the 3rd Asian Olympic boxing qualifying tournament (Green Hill Cup) at the heavily-secured KPT Sports Complex here.

Jabbing and dancing beautifully for most of the two-minute, four-round match, the Philippine Army stalwart proved dominant against Maharjan to easily register the win in the 60 kg. division (lightweight) and join flyweight Harry Tañamor in the next round of the meet that attracted 29 countries and 133 boxers.

The two fought for semifinal berths late yesterday afternoon.

Tañamor took on Kazakhtan’s Abdraimov Nurlan in their 48 kg. quarterfinal bout while Basadre battled Malaysian Adnan Yusoh, who beat Djuraev Khurshed of Tajikistan, 25-20.

"Sayang, tatlong boxers sana natin ang nasa quarterfinals," said RP coach George Caliwan, assisted by Pat Gaspi, who obviously has not gotten over yet the questionable loss suffered by featherweight Junard Ladon against Japanese Terukado Shoyama, 20-33.

Ferdie Gamo earlier lost his preliminary round bout against Vietnam Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Worapoj Petchkoom, 23-12, in the 54 kg. class (bantamweight).

Manny Lopez, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president, encouraged the Alaxan-FR, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Pacific Heights and Accel-supported RP team to give their best as the week-long tournament serving as Asia’s final Olympic boxing qualifying event reaches its halfway mark.

"I believe in the abilities of our boxers and I know they will give their best for our country," said Lopez.

Basadre’s match opposite Maharjan — and the rest of the 19 matches as well scheduled for the day — was delayed for more than one hour as security was tightened around the playing venue in the wake of a bombing incident that rocked this Muslim capital.

But the lanky Filipino hardly showed signs of apprehensions as he was all business during the fight.

"Sabi namin relax lang at huwag mag-isip ng kung ano pa," Gaspi said.

Of the 62 Olympic berths allotted for Asia, 44 had already been clinched, three of which belong to Filipinos Violito Payla, Romeo Brin and Chris Camat, leaving 18 more slots to be disputed here.

A daily fixture at the complex is International Amateur Boxing Federation (AIBA) President Anwar Chowdry of the host country.