Draw deals RP boxers tough blow

ATHENS (Via Globe Telecom) – Filipino boxers went into talent-laden brackets in the draw that put the Philippines’ campaign for the gold to a big, big test.

The formidable task for Olympic glory, in fact, starts off early Saturday when middleweight Chris Camat, the designated RP flag bearer in the opening rites of the Athens Games Friday, goes up against current European champ Gaydarbek Gaydarbekov of Russia who was also the silver medallist in the division in Sydney four years ago.

Harry Tañamor’s road to the medal bouts is littered with landmines with two of the finest light flyweights in the world in his group while light welterweight Romeo Brin will have to contend with either the world champ or the second ranked in the early rounds.

Flyweight Violito Payla has an easy outings in the first two rounds but may run into a former French world champion and a bronze medalist in Sydney Games.

"Lahat naman talaga magagaling. Kami focus lang sa laban. In high spirits ang mga bata," said national coach Nolito "Boy" Velasco.

Compounding Camat’s woes when he goes up against the Russian slugger in one of the afternoon bouts today is that he might come in not in the best shape if he were to lead the nation as the flag bearer in Friday night’s inaugurals of the Games.

RP boxing officials were seriously thinking of keeping Camat from the chore and would ask chef de mission Steve Hontiveros to replace him late last night.

It would be Camat’s biggest fight since he missed qualifying in the Olympics in 2000 with a close decision in the Asian qualifier in Bangkok earlier in the year.

"It’s always a dream being in the Olympics and I will do my best for the country," said Camat prior to his departure for the Greek capital.

The 32-year-old Brin, one of the few Filipino athletes who were three-time Olympians, drew a battle-tested Swede in Patrick Bogere, who was born in Uganda and a quarterfinalist in the World in 2001 in Belfast. They slug it out Sunday.

Brin is expected to brawl it out against the 6-foot-2 Swede in his farewell appearance in the Games, following a return from semi-retirement with a smashing result in the Asian qualifier in Puerto Princesa.

Brin could hurdle Bogere with unrelenting attack and if he does, it would prime him up in a probable match up with world No. 1 Willy Blain of France in the third round.

Also in Brin’s bracket is Russian Alexander Maletin, runner-up in the Bangkok edition of the World this year.

Tañamor has also a light assignment in Tajikistan’s Sherali Dostiev on Wednesday but would probably meet Cuba’s Varela Yan Bhartelemy, rated No. 2 in the world, in the third round.

Payla will go up against Uzbekistan’s Tulashboy Doniyorov Tuesday evening and could hold his own against the winner of the bout between Australian Bradley Hore and American Ron Siler.

But the veteran international will have his hands full if he reaches the third round when he meets Jerome Thomas, another former world champ.

The draw looked the toughest for the Filipinos in three Olympic Games but if they were to pull through in the critical matches early, they would have a good crack at the gold.