Seasoned lady pugs show mettle in AIBA tourney

Six seasoned Filipina boxers, led by former lightweight Asian champion Mitchell Martinez, are competing in the AIBA Women World Boxing Championship slated Nov. 22-29 at the Ningbo Youngor Gymnasium in Ningbo City, China.

“Our women’s team became controversial because of what happened in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last year,” said boxing association outgoing president Manny Lopez.

“Although this is a different level of competition, much higher than the SEA Games, they will be out to prove themselves, that they are worthy of the challenge,” Lopez, who will be ABAP’s vice-president by January, added.

Five RP female boxers, including Martinez, advanced to the gold medal match of the 2007 SEA Games but four of them failed to bring home the title because of what Lopez called “biased officiating.“

Only Annie Albania, the last Filipina to set foot on the ring, won a gold medal after she knocked out her opponent in the flyweight division.

Joining Martinez and Albania are Alice Kate Aparri (light flyweight), Josie Gabuco (pinweight), Analiza Cruz (light bantamweight) and Redelyn Digmayo (bantamweight).

will be showcasing their wares in the world championships through the help of the Philippine Sports Commission and Pacific Heights.

The Philippines has won four bronze medals in the world championships—two in the 2005 edition courtesy of Martinez and Gretchen Abaniel and two in 2006 from Martinez and Aparri—but the delegation is now eyeing a gold medal this time around.

“This is a big test for them too see if they can live up to their billing as former Asian champion and bronze medalists in the world championships.”

Lopez also stressed that joining the world tilt is a good preparation for the female pugs once the AIBA succeeds in its bid to include women’s boxing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Saddam wants to be ‘Pacquiao  of Thailand’

Undefeated Thai champ Saddam Kietyongyuth is seeking to become the “Manny Pacquiao of Thailand” and hopes to get closer to his ambitious goal by disposing of one more Filipino – Randy Suico.

 “I want to be considered the next Manny Pacquiao in Thailand. I can only do that when I have beaten the best out there, just like what Pacquiao is doing, which is to defeat the best,” said Saddam, unbeaten in 16 bouts.

The power-punching Saddam has already beaten a formidable list of notable Filipino fighters who had the guts to face him, including Jimrex Jaca (TKO2), JR Sollano (TKO1), Jury Noda (TKO3), Arniel Tinampay (UD12), and Larry Pelonia (TKO5).

This time, Saddam wants Suico, the OPBF lightweight champion who is the best lightweight in Asia.

Saddam holds the WBC-ABCO lightweight title, and wants to unify with Suico, a fearsome fighter with legitimate power in both hands.

“Suico is the only guy out there who we know has a chance at beating Saddam. And Saddam also has a chance at beating Suico. So let’s make it happen,” added his manager Daniel Potter.