CHICAGO, Illinois – Harry Tañamor humbled Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand, 16-8, to enter the light-flyweight finals of the International Amateur Boxing Association World Boxing Championships Friday at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion.
Tañamor leaned on his speed and counter-punching to dominate the Thai and assure himself of the silver medal.
The Army sergeant from Zamboanga City seeks the gold medal Saturday against defending champion and favorite Zou Shiming of China. Shiming whipped Frenchman Nordine Oubaali via a Referee-Stopped-Contest-outscored (21-1, third round).
It was a stirring follow-up to his surprising quarterfinals win over American bet Luis Yanez, the Pan-American Games last Thursday.
The Philippines has never won a gold medal in the World Championships.
“Winning for the country is sweet and memorable. But I have one more bout to win against the defending champion,” said Tañamor.
By entering the final for the first time in his career, the Athens Olympian bettered his bronze medal showings in the 2001 and 2003 Worlds held in Belfast, Ireland and Bangkok, Thailand.
Tañamor fell behind, 0-2 deficit but broke away as he punished the Thai with body blows and combinations en route to a 14-7 edge in the fourth round.
Tañamor backpedaled smoothly and landed up and down punches which took the steam out of the Thai, who trained extensively in Cuba before the tournament.
“I told him to be patient and wait for the opportunity to attack. Harry knew what to do and he followed my instruction to the letter. Even if he fell behind early, I was confident that his experience and demeanor will hold on,” said national coach Patricio Gaspi.
As a last resort, Ruenroeng kept coming at Tañamor in the final minute of the fourth. Tañamor, however, caught the Thai with a thunderous right hook to the face.