Four Filipino fighters open bid in China slugfest

Team RP-Revicon opens its bid in the 2003 Xinjiang China International Boxing Open Thursday when it sends four of its boxers in the opening bouts of the annual tournament in Xinjiang, China.

Light flyweight Lhyven Salazar, lightweight Anthony Igusquiza, light welterweight Florencio Ferrer and welterweight Francis Joven troop to the ring one by one, each bidding to gain the second round in this prestigious tournament which attracted 14 teams from 11 countries including the Philippines and three China squads.

Salazar takes on Sikymbateb of Kazakhstan, Igusquiza duels Takachi Uchiyama of Japan, Ferrer faces Jiermubatu of Beijing, China and Joven battles Li Yan of China.

Three other Team RP-Revicon pugs, sent here by Revicon with support from the Philippine Sports Commission, Pacific Heights, Accel, Family Rubbing Alcohol as part of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) build-up and selection process for the delegation members to the coming Vietnam SEA Games and the first Olympic qualifying tournament next year, see action Friday.

Flyweight Violito Payla trades punches with Guo Xiang of China, featherweight Roel Laguna fights Xie Gang of China and bantamweight Ferdie Gamo meets Chen Chao of Beijing, China.

"This is it. The opening fights will see how our boys could cope against the expected tough opposition in this tournament," said amateur boxing president Manny Lopez who recently received a personal invitation from AIBA chief Anwar Chowdry of Pakistan to send the RP pugs to the China meet.

And as a sign of respect for the Filipinos, Chowdhry designed ABAP secretary-general Rene Fortaleza as member of the jury for the tournament.

Coaches of the team are Pat Gaspi and Ronald Chavez while Arturo Vidal Jr. is the team referee/judge.