RP pugs eye Asiad berths

A strong eight-man Philippine boxing team will compete in the annual 27th Tammer Cup slated Oct. 17-22 in Tampere, Finland.

Manny Lopez, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) and secretary general of the Federation of Asian Amateur Boxing (FAAB), said the tough week-long event featuring Europe’s and Asia’s leading boxers will also serve as the final basis for the selection of the members of the Philippine team to the Doha Asian Games in December.

"The Tammer Cup plays a crucial role in the selection process. The coaching staff headed by Pat Gaspi is going to personally monitor our boxers to make sure that we’re sending the best talents to Doha,’’ said Lopez.

Leading the country’s bid are light-flyweight Harry Tañamor, flyweight Violito Payla, bantamweight Joan Tipon, lightweight Genebert Basadre, light-welterweight Delfin Boholst, featherweight Anthony Marcial, welterweight Willy Lopez and middleweight Francis Joven.

Gaspi and his deputy Ronald Chavez and international judge/referee Doy Vidal will accompany the nationals to the championships.