Two pugs advance in Asian tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Flyweight Jenno Cabugngan and light flyweight Engelbert Moralde fashioned out emphatic victories over separate rivals to advance to the next round in the 19th Asian Youth Boxing Championships at the Shahid Shiroudi Complex in Tehran, Iran last Thursday.

Cabugngan, from Bohol, overwhelmed his Sri Lankan rival, 8-2, in their 51-kg clash while Moralde, from Davao City, whipped his opponent from Tajikistan, 10-2, in their 48-kg encounter.

The twin wins made up for flyweight Daryl Basadre’s 2-8 setback to an Iranian rival.

The event drew 140 fighters from 20 countries aged 17-18 years old with the winners gaining berths in the World Championships, which will be held in Azerbaijan next month.