Not that the semis pairings in the other side of the draw are not worthy ones. But for rookies Castro and Tipon, beating their Thai rivals would be like hurdling the biggest stumbling block to their gold medal bids.
Castro, 21, takes on Suban Pannon in the first semis match in the lightfly division at 2 p.m. (7 p.m. in Manila) at the Aspire Hall 5, bringing with him two RSC (referee-stopped-contest) wins over Malaysian Azizi Mohamad and Saudi Ali Saad Al Ahmry that by this time must have been studied thoroughly by the Thai camp.
"I am so focused on this bout because I know Suban is a very strong contender for the gold medal," said Castro, a replacement for Busan Asiad silver medalist Harry Tanamor but now one of the country’s brightest hopes for the gold medal.
Tipon actually holds the distinction as RP’s top bet for a medal before the squad left for this Games, but the surge of Castro, Violito Payla and Genebert Basadre has made Team RP’s roster more formidable.
The 24-year-old Tipon, who won the bantamweight crown in the Asian Championships in Vietnam last year, is eyeing revenge against Worapoj Petchkoom, a stylish fighter from Bangkok who bagged a silver medal in the Athens Olympics in 2004.
"This is the peak of my career. Although I lost to him in Vietnam, this time I want to avenge this," said Tipon, who disposed of two tough rivals in Liu Shih Jung of Taiwan and the hard-hitting North Korean Kim Won Guk to reach the semis.
"I can see the gold medal for the Philippines," said Tipon.
That’s what also on the mind of Castro.
"I have been practising well and I will give it my best shot," said Castro. "My mind is set and it is set to win for my home country."
The four sure bronzes underscore the kind of work and preparation done by the RP boxing coaching staff, which came into this event with seven fighters with four gaining semis berths and assuring the country of four bronze medals.
For boxing president Manny Lopez, however, the semis phase is an entirely different thing.
"This stage is a tactical period," said Lopez. "But the coaching staff has studied the opposition well. We have simulated and strategized well for the semis and we hope to carry the fight for honor and glory of the country." — Dante Navarro