‘RP pugs good for four golds in 2012 Games’

If given a chance, Cuban national boxing team coach Dr. Alcides Sagarra Caron said he could help the country win not just one but four gold medals in the 2012 London Olympics.

“I would really want to return here to train Filipino boxers. I can win the Philippines four gold medals in the 2012 London Olympics if given a chance,” said Caron through Enrique Beech, a Philippine Sports Commission consultant, in yesterday’s final training of the RP boxers seeing action in next week’s World Championships in the US.

Caron, who delivered a total of 38 gold medals in the Olympics and 76 in the World Championships in a 54-year coaching career in Cuba, is in town to conduct seminar for the RP boxers, coaches and referees at the Rizal Memorial sports complex.

The boxing association and the Philippine Sports Commission have been trying to tap a Cuban coach to train the Filipino boxers in their quest for the elusive gold medal in the Olympics.

Boxing chief Manny Lopez said they had tried to get Raul Liranza, who was Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco’s coach when he won a silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games, but to no avail.

Although he’s willing to lend a hand, Caron said everything would still depend on whether or not the Philippines could convince the Cuban government to allow him to stay and train the country’s top fighters.

Caron yesterday watched the final sparring session of the RP pugs competing in the World Championships set Oct. 23-Nov. 3 in Chicago where slots in the 2008 Beijing Olympics are staked.

Asian Games gold medalist flyweight Violito Payla and bantamweight Joan Tipon head the seven-man cast that includes flyweight Harry Tañamor, lightweight Genebert Basadre, featherweight Charlie Suarez, light welterweight Delfin Boholst and welterweight Wilfredo Lopez.

The 29-year-old Tanamor is the most veteran in the group being a two-time gold medalist in the World Championship in 2001 in Ireland and 2005 in Thailand while Tipon and Payla the most promising after their gold-medal romp in Doha, Qatar last year.

Caron, however, said he was impressed with Suarez after sparring with the taller, heavier Basadre.

“He’s a good boxer, he can make it to Beijing.” said Caron of Suarez.

Caron said the local boxers would need to win just three bouts to secure a berth in Beijing.

In a gesture of support, Caron gave RP team head coach Pat Gaspi a program which the Cuban mentor believed would help the Filipinos succeed more on international stage.

“That’s a complete program I gave him, I’m sure it will help the Filipino boxers,” Caron said.

So far, RP has won two silver medals courtesy of Velasco and Anthony Villanueva in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and a pair of bronze medals by Leopoldo Cerrantes and Onyok’s elder brother Ruel Velasco in the 1988 and 1992 Barcelona Games, respectively.