Stung by the standing eight count given by the referee after a glancing blow by the hosts’ Faber Frantisek to the face, the 24-year-old Payla worked his way to the top with body blows and crisp combinations to score a convincing 15-5 points victory.
"Wala naman akong naramdaman na suntok binilangan na ako. Isang puntos yun at binawi ko na lang sa third at fourth rounds. Nirapido ko na yung kalaban," said Payla, one of the four Filipino boxers bound for the Athens Olympics.
The win sent Payla into the Last 4 of his division in this tournament which attracted 71 boxers from 14 nations. His opponent for a finals spot will be the winner between Russian Alexander Afanasiev and Australian Hore Bredley.
Three other RP-Alaxan FR pugs–bantamweight Joan Tipon, light welterweight Romeo Brin and middleweight Christopher Camat–see action Thursday (early Friday in Manila), all of them seeking to join Payla and light flyweight Harry Tañamor in the semifinals.
Tañamor took an easy ride to the semis as only three boxers were entered in his weight division. He will fight Cuban Bartelemiyan Varela on Friday (Saturday in Manila).
Tipon will face Australian Joel Brunker, Brin tangles with Martin Halas of the Czech Republic and Camat meets Jozsef Acz of Hungary.
"Mabigat ang laban dito," assessed coach Boy Velasco. "Kung hind papunta sa Olympics ang makakalaban, miyembro ng Team A ng mga bansa nila."
"Pero nasa focus ang mga bata (RP boxers). Maganda ang ipinakita nila sa training session namin kahapon pagdating dito. Lahat sila ay nasa tamang timbang at handa na sa laban."
After the Czech tournament, the team, supported by Alaxan FR, Philippine Sports Commission, Accel, Family Rubbing Alcohol and Pacific Heights, will proceed to Romania for the Golden Belt tourney on June 15 to 20.
After the two international tournaments, the team goes to an international training camp in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on June 21 to July 16 before capping the two-month sojourn with another stint at the international training camp in Bugeat, France on July 17 to Aug. 5.