Four RP Boxers Gain Tammer Cup Semis

TAMPERE, Finland — The PLDT-ABAP National Boxing Team wrapped up its campaign in the quarterfinal round of the 31st Tammer Cup here with a perfect slate as flyweight Rey Saludar reprised his younger brother Victorio's earlier stoppage of a boxer from the United Arab Emirates Friday evening.

The victim was Ahmed Al Mesmari, who got his third standing 8-count with 1:39 left in the first round. Amateur boxing rules call for an automatic halt to a match when one boxer is given the standing count thrice in a round.

Mesmari engaged Saludar toe-to-toe but that proved to be his undoing as he absorbed a rainfall of power shots from the Filipino army man.

He probably did not want to go down the way his compatriot did against Victorio, without landing a single punch. He did throw a number of shots, but none were on target.

Earlier in the day, top Filipino bet Charly Suarez hurdled tough Russian Anatoly Borkeev in a battle of defensive savvy in the 56 kg class that Suarez won by sheer grit and a load of patience, 2-1.

"I felt I could beat him if I didn't lose my focus. It was a game of endurance and he blinked at least twice," said the 22-year-old Davao native in the vernacular. He faces Petteri Fjordholm of host country Finland in the semis.

Muscle-toned light welterweight Delfin Boholst likewise took the measure of Scotland's James Easton, opening up an early 2-0 lead.

Easton however closed the gap, 2-1 in the second round when the Gingoog City native seemed over-eager to score an abbreviated win.

Boholst settled down in the third round, displaying clinical precision as he scored clean shots for a convincing 4-1 win. His opponent in the semis is another Finnish boxer, Jarkko Potkonen who edged France's Hassan Amzile in the quarters, 2-1.

Victorio Saludar will try to get into the Finals of the prestigious tournament. Standing in his way is Artem Ivaschenko of Russia who eked out a 3-2 win last Thursday over Hungary's Robert Kanalas.

Source:www.mb.com.ph