BANGKOK – Olympics or bust.
Joan Tipon emerges from a three-day break in tip-top form, ready to slug it out today with Worapoj Petchkoom of Thailand for a berth in the Olympic Games in the semifinal round of the bantamweight division in the first AIBA Asian Olympic qualifying.
The plan is simple: Attack Petchkoom early, try to pile up points and then sustain the pace.
“Okay si Joan. Pero kailangan namin na makauna at nang hindi na makatakbo ang kalaban (Joan is okay but we need to press on and score early so Petchkoom would not be able to run),” said Pat Gaspi, coach of the RP PLDT-Smart boxing team.
Gaspi wants Tipon, with long reach and quick hands, to neutralize the Thai’s style of going for the early points with jabs and right straights and then go fight at a distance to preserve his lead.
Yet, it would be difficult to carry out the tactic against a fighter so long in talent and enjoying the proverbial crowd support.
“Di na siya dapat magpatama kahit nakadepensa para walang dahilan na puntusan pa siya ng judges (He should avoid getting hit even if he has solid defense so there would be no reason for the judges to give Petchkoom the points),” Gaspi said.
Though the RP camp remains wary of the notorious hometown decision, results in the current qualifiers have been fair and above reproach.
To prepare Tipon, a Doha Asian Games gold medalist, for the crucial fight, Gaspi tapped featherweight Orlando Tacuyan, Jr. during the three-day break to simulate Petchkoom’s moves.
The Philippine Embassy, on the other hand, has promised to bring in a big crowd to cheer and fire up Tipon, who is trying to become only the second Filipino fighter to advance to the Olympics set in Beijing this August.
Lightfly Harry Tañamor came out of suspension to clinch the berth with a silver medal finish in the World Championships in Chicago last November.
The 25-year-old Tipon also saw action in the world tilt but was booted out in the first round by Petchkoom, who also bowed in the second round.
The former Olympic silver medalist also beat Tipon in the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam but the Filipino bet got back at the Thai champion in the semifinal round of the Doha Asiad before beating Korean Han Soon Chul for the gold medal.
Like Tipon, the 26-year-old Petchkoom said he expects to win and join the five other Thais who have qualified in the world tilt for the Beijing Games.
Two other Thais – lightwelterweight and Olympic champion Manus Boonjumnong and middleweight Angkarn Chomphupoung – are tipped to clinch Olympic berths here.