Romanian bet stops Tanamor

BELFAST, Ireland — Team Caltex Philippines settled for a lone bronze medal Friday as Harry Tanamor fell short of his bid for a crack at the gold medal in the World Amateur Boxing Championships here.

The 19-year-old Tanamor, bidding to at least duplicate the Philippines’ best finish of a silver medal, played a waiting game in the first two rounds and made his move only in the next two and absorbed a 25-20 decision from Romanian Marian Velicu in their light flyweight match.

"Sayang. Medyo naudlot ako sa unang dalawang round at nang maghabol na ako, tumakbo naman siya," lamented Tanamor, who fell to a 7-17 deficit after two rounds.

Tanamor swarmed all over the ring in the third round and cut the lead to 18-22 but that was the best he could do as the veteran Romanian, who reached the quarterfinals of the Sydney Olympics last year, played a hide-and-seek game in the final round.

"No regrets. Harry tried his best, especially in the closing rounds, but the Romanian was too slippery and was just better," Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president and delegation head Manny Lopez said.

"I am proud of our boys. Not only Harry did his best but also the three others in the team. This tournament is not a walk in the park as all the Olympians came here. Winning a bronze is already a shining feat," Lopez added.

Other members of the four-man squad, sent here by Caltex Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission, Pacific Heights and Adidas Phils. to augment the team’s preparations for the coming Southeast Asian Games, were flyweight Violito Payla, bantamweight Arlan Lerio, lightweight Anthony Igusquiza, coach Patricio Gaspi and referee/judge Doy Vidal.

Payla and Lerio made it through the second round while Igusquiza lost in his first fight.

"Malungkot at masaya ako. Malungkot dahil hindi ako nakarating sa finals at masaya na rin dahil makapaguuwi ang team ng medalya. Nanghihinayang rin ako dahil hindi agad ako nag-umpisa ng maaga," Tanamor said.