Saludar overwhelms Tajik, nears Olympic berth

MANILA, Philippines - Guangzhou Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar moved one win away from clinching an Olympic berth as he demolished Safoviddin Yusufi of Tajikistan, 28-12, in the AIBA World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan Sunday.

Saludar broke through the defense of the Tajik with stinging left straights and right hooks to seize control and never gave the 2010 Combat Games silver medalist a chance to counter.

The victory snapped the PLDT-ABAP National boxing team’s skid after three of its bets bowed out and moved the Polomolok, South Cotabato native a win away from clinching a slot in next year’s Olympic Games in London.

Standing in his way is two-time Olympian Rau’shee Warren of the US.

The fourth-ranked Warren also posted an emphatic 22-15 win over Georgiy Chigayev of Ukraine to prime up for his Tuesday’s match with the top Filipino flyweight bet.

Meanwhile, Mark Anthony Barriga goes for his second win as he faces eighth seed Patrick Barnes of Ireland Monday.

Barriga, 18, lost to Barnes in their World Youth Championship clash but the Filipino fighter is out for revenge.

“Suntukan naman ang labanan e. Kung sino ang maraming patama, yon ang panalo. Damihan ko na lang ang tama (It’s a boxing match. Whoever hits more accurately wins. I’ll just hit him more),” said Barriga.

Joan Tipon, another Asian Games gold medal winner, also guns for a spot in the last 16 as he squares off with 2010 Asian Games silver medalist Zhang Jiawei of China.

Zheng also won the silver medal in the 2010 Combat Games.

Earlier, Delfin Boholst, Rolando Tacuyan and Charly Suarez were eliminated in the prelims. Coaches are Pat Gaspi, Ronald Chavez and Roel Velasco.

The national team’s stint here is funded by the Philippine Sports Commission and the boxing federation’s major private sponsor PLDT, which is headed by ABAP chairman, Manuel V. Pangilinan. Boxing shoes and equipment were provided by Adidas, uniforms by Accel, hydration drinks by Powerade and vitamins by Clusivol.