Tipon, Basadre hurdle foes in Tammer Cup

Bantamweight Joan Tipon and lightweight Genebert Basadre scored contrasting victories as the Philippine boxing team started its campaign in the Tammer Cup International Boxing Championships recently in Tampere, Finland.

Both Manila Southeast Asian Games gold medalists, Tipon posted a convincing 22-7 victory over Israeli Piter Moyshenzon, while Basadre lost steam in the fourth round before escaping with a close 29-26 win over local bet Joonas Koivuranta.

Manny Lopez, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, earlier said that the Tammer Cup will serve as the final phase of the nationals preparation for the Doha Asian Games.

The trip is supported by the International Olympic Solidarity movement, Philippine Sports Commission and Pacific Heights. Tipon used efficient footwork to confuse the Israeli, who swung wildly right from the start of the one-sided bout.

Basadre struggled in the fourth and final round, but managed to frustrate Koivuranta. "We hope to continue winning,"said national head coach Patricio Gaspi who is being assisted by Boy Velasco.

Two more Filipino bets – welterweight Francis Joven and featherweight Anthony Marcial – were scheduled to meet Foster Marcelin Nkodo of Cameroon and Ali Hallab of France, respectively. More than 70 boxers from Asia, Europe and Africa are competing in the week-long slugfest.