Tañamor, Tipon assured of bronze

Harry Tañamor and Joan Tipon fashioned out one-sided victories over their respective rivals to assure themselves of bronze medals in the 23rd Asian Seniors Boxing Championships at the Pan Ding Phung Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Thursday.

Tañamor, many-time spearhead of the country’s bid in various international competitions, blasted Syrian Amjad Aouda with a flurry of punches in the first round to seize control then sustained the momentum in the next three for a 26-17 victory and a stint in the semifinals of the 48-kg division.

Tipon also came away with a big 26-12 victory over Korean Han Soon Chul to advance to the semifinal round of the 54-kg category.

Like Tañamor, Tipon took the fight to Han early, landing solid right-left combinations to post a 9-2 lead. The taller Korean fighter was left frustrated chasing the elusive Tipon the rest of the way, totally losing his composure and eventually the match.

Also eyeing a spot in the semis is Mark Jason Melligen, who whipped Indon Surat Min, 34-14, Wednesday, to advance to the quarterfinal round of the 64-kg division.

Genebert Basadre, however, failed to maintain his fast pace against Indian Jai Bhagwan, blowing a 14-7 lead halfway their 60-kg match due to injury he sustained in the third round.

Basadre was hit by an elbow of the Indian on the left eyelid after missing a right hook, the blow leaving a gaping wound that forced ringside doctor from Sri Lanka to stop the bout.