Tanamor, Payla set all-Pinoy final

HELSINKI, Finland–Violito Payla and Harry Tanamor, two promising boxers who have reached the peak of their power, slammed a pair of formidable rivals without fear, without mercy, and arranged an all-Filipino title clash in the flyweight division of the 21st Gee Bee International Amateur Boxing Championships here Saturday.

The cool air of Finnish spring, which forced spectators to wear thick clothing inside the Helsinki Sport Hall, never took the heat off the two Filipino pugilists who scored wins by the biggest of margins in a show of guts and world-class power in the three-day meet.

Payla, the legitimate flyweight, did what he had to do – never allow the bout to get close enough to avoid a hometown decision – by crushing Finland’s Pasi Silvennoinen, 18-4, in the first semifinal bout of the day.

Tanamor, a lightflyweight who had to climb to the flyweight division after his event was excluded from the calendar, overpowered his heavier, more experienced opponent, Andrei Bogdanov of the once-mighty Russian team, to win, 18-3.

The computer statistician signalled for the referee to stop the bout at the close of the second round because of the 15-point rule, a new safety measure similar to the 10-run mercy rule in baseball.

Manny Lopez, boxing chief and delegation head, could not conceal his satisfaction as the referee raised Tanamor’s arm while the boisterous hometown crowd watched the fall of the first of the Flying Finns.

"This is one scoring which reflects fairly the results of the game," said Lopez before he rose from the stands to congratulate his ward.

Featherweight Roel Laguna and lightwelterweight Romeo Brin also made it to the finals, assuring the Philippines of at least a gold, three silver and a bronze from the six-man team sponsored by Caltex Philippines and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Pacific Heights and Revicon.

Laguna thoroughly outclassed Dontsho Gadsev of the fancied Bulgarian team, 18-8, while Brin, 28, used his vast experience to manhandle Lee Beavis of England, 25-13.

Anthony Igusquiza bowed to Sydney Olympics silver medalist Aleksander Maletin of Russia, 25-10, also in an abbreviated match, after the second round, but not after giving his best against his more experienced, very aggressive opponent, whose nose he bloodied in the second round.

"He lost to a very experienced boxer. Bilib din ako kay Anthony dahil buo ang loob at lumaban siya nang sabayan sa second round," said national coach Nolito "Boy" Velasco who was assisted by former national boxer Patricio Gaspi.

Lopez himself offered no excuses for the loss.

"In the first round alone, the Russian was up by nine points. He’s a very good boxer. That’s what we are here for – to expose our fighters among the best and improve them in the process," he said.