RP pug falls in Baku elims

MANILA, Philippines - The first of five Filipino simonpures crashed out of contention as the 16th World Youth Amateur Boxing Championships got underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, last Sunday to determine 44 qualifiers in 11 weight divisions for the inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore on Aug. 14-26.

Featherweight Nathaniel Montealto of Puerto Princesa was the initial casualty, losing a 7-2 decision to Nigeria’s Oliwo Kazeem Tosin in a three-rounder. Towering over his smaller opponent, Montealto had no flow in his attack and appeared awkward in trying to take charge.

“Monty needs to stick to the basics,” said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson who is in Baku with the five fighters and coaches Elmer Pamisa and Sonny Dollente. “He tends to go wild in a pinch although I admire his courage and aggressiveness. Monty really needs to gain more experience. These are 17 to 18 year old kids so they’ve got lots of time to improve.”

Lightflyweight Mark Anthony Barriga of Panabo, Davao del Norte, was set to take on China’s Zhang Liang and bantamweight Ricky Dulay of Calbayog City, Samar, to face the Czech Republic’s Patrick Velky in preliminary bouts yesterday.

Picson said flyweight Jenno Cabugngan of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, and lightweight Michael Delorino of Catarman, Northern Samar, will likely see action today. Delorino gained a bye during the draw presided by technical delegate Terry Smith of Wales last Sunday. Cabugngan’s first opponent is Korea’s Hong Min.

“It’s tough to comment on who got the breaks from the draw because the fighters are all unknown kids with limited experience,” said Picson. “The reputation of our first foes is quite impressive. But our boys aren’t impressed although Monty displayed some opening day jitters. The other boys calmed him down by horsing around and the coaches reassured him.”

Picson said as of last Sunday, 466 fighters from nearly 90 countries had arrived in Baku. Travel snags caused by the volcanic ash that grounded flights for several days in Europe brought down the expected list of 532 participants from 105 countries. The US, for instance, withdrew its team of 10 contenders because of travel concerns.

AIBA (International Boxing Association) president Dr. Ching Kuo-Wu of Taiwan attended the delegation managers’ meeting last Sunday and in his welcome remarks, emphasized fair play, honest judging and officiating, noting that referees and judges are billeted in separate hotels from fighters and forbidden to make contact with the participants. Dr. Wu mentioned that the list of 466 fighters is a World Youth Championships record, eclipsing the mark of 287 at the previous competition in Guadalajara in 2008.

Five Filipinos represented the country at the 2008 meet, compiling a 3-5 record. Lightflyweight Gerson Nietes beat Puerto Rico’s Carlos Narvaez, 11-5, before dropping a 17-6 decision to Uzbekistan’s Jasurbek Latipov. Flyweight Welbeth Loberanis swamped Brazil’s Adauton Santos, 27-3, then was trounced by Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Gonzalez, 18-5. Bantamweight Aston Francis Palicte was crushed by India’s Bajrang, 27-8, while featherweight Glicerio Catolico III lost a 22-3 decision to the Dominican Republic’s Wellington Arias Romero in the quarterfinals after drawing a bye. Lightweight Rolando Tacuyan also drew bye, stopped Hungary’s Erik Sos at 1:56 of the second round then lost a 12-8 verdict to Japan’s Kenki Toda in the quarterfinals.

There were no African fighters in Guadalajara but in Baku, contestants from 16 African countries are entries.

“It looks like it will take three wins to reach the semifinals, take a guaranteed bronze and earn a ticket to Singapore,” said Picson. “To clinch the gold, a fighter must win five bouts. Fights start at 11 a.m. everyday with two sessions, both ending at 11 p.m. Barriga is in the third fight of the Monday program and Dulay is also in the schedule. We’re hoping they can turn things around.”