Tipon, Suarez pace ABAP Baguio elims

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – World Championships veterans Joan Tipon and Charly Suarez yesterday swamped separate opponents in the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines elimination tournament.

Tipon, gold medalist in the 2006 Asian Games, trimmed Aston Francis Palicte, 2-1, to sweep the three-man bantamweight division, while Suarez clobbered Jhergigs Chavez, 3-0.

They now await the assessment of the formidable panel of judges ever assembled – American trainer Freddie Roach, Team Pacquiao assistant coach Buboy Fernandez, and Nonito Donaire Sr., father of world super-flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.

Tipon earlier defeated Glicerio Catolico III at the start of the three-leg elimination serving as tryout for the national squad to the 25th Southeast Asian Games this December in Laos.

“Sweeping a division doesn’t mean an automatic berth,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson. “They have to get the nod of the panel of jurors.”

ABAP secretary general Patrick Gregorio also attended the opening of the box-off, along with former two-division world champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa, also a member of Pacquiao’s coaching staff.

Roach was unable to watch the fights due to a scheduled taping with HBO’s 24/7 show but was expected to be present in the third and final leg tomorrow.

In the women’s side of competition, Asian Indoor Games-bound Michelle Martinez, a former Asian champion, outpointed Nesthy Peticio in the lightweight class, Josie Gabuco nipped Karen Jane Recaido in the flyweight level, and Mary Joy Cacal downed Rose Ann Monares in the bantamweight category.

Jimmy Vallares Jr. outclassed Dennis Galvan in a referee-stopped-contest, 2:27 in the second round of a light-welterweight clash, the only bout that failed to go the distance.

In other results it was Michael Paragoso over Gerson Nietes (pinweight), Crisanto Godaren over Bonifaciao Fernando (light-fly) and Rey Saludar over Wilberth Loberanes (flyweight).