Tañamor, Tipon head Milan-bound RP team

MANILA, Philippines - Lightfly Harry Tañamor and bantam Joan Tipon will banner the five-man boxing team in the World Boxing Championship slated Sept. 1-12 in Milan, Italy.

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Phils. named Tañamor and Tipon, along with featherweight Charly Suarez, lightweight Joegin Ladon, and light welterweight Genebert Basadre, in the team after deliberations by the national coaching staff led by head coach Pat Gaspi following a series of eliminations involving local and international tournaments.

Tañamor, a silver medalist in the 2007 world championship in Chicago, and Tipon, a gold medal winner in the 2006 Asian Games, hope to use their experience again in the 12-day tournament featuring the top fighters in the world.

The five, along with four others, are currently in deep training in Cuba against the Cuban, Venezuelan and Brazilian national teams, according to ABAP executive director Ed Picson.

Tañamor and company will fly directly from Havana to Milan on Friday

PLDT Global Corp., an international company under the umbrella of the giant PLDT-Smart conglomerate headed by businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, is the major sponsor of the national team in the world tilt via their mobile phone service Smart Pinoy, which services OFWs in Italy, Hongkong and Singapore.

“We feel honored with this opportunity to backstop our Filipino boxers in this epic international battle. We hope our humble contribution to this national effort will bring honor and pride to our people,” said PLDT Global Corp. president Al Panlilio.

Picson said that while the Philippine Sports Commission headed by chairman Harry Angping funded the boxers’ trip, all other incidental expenses are shouldered by Smart Pinoy.