Tañamor assured of bronze finish at IABA tourney

Harry Tañamor of the Philippines assured himself of a bronze medal finish in the International Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) World Boxing Championships semifinals Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion. This, after Tañamor surprised almost everyone with a 17-7 victory over favorite Luis Yanez of the host United States team, a statement from the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines said. The shocker of a win assured Tañamor of the RP- PLDT-Smart boxing team of the bronze medal in the light-flyweight class. Tañamor also brought home bronze medals during the 2001 and 2003 World Championships held in Belfast, Ireland and Bangkok, Thailand, respectively. ''This is a night to remember. I'll never forget this one,'' said the 29-year-old Tañamor. Tañamor will face Anmat Ruenroeng of Thailand in the semifinals slated Friday evening (Saturday morning in the Philippines). Ruenroeng downed Armenian Danielyan Hovhannes, 18-6 in another quarterfinals showdown. The statement said that Tañamor used his speed and movement against Yanez, the reigning Pan American Games titlist. ''Harry boxed perfectly. He had the experience and the skills to neutralize Yanez,'' said head coach Patricio Gaspi. Gaspi noted that Tañamor's hit and run tactic prevented Yanez from doing much damage. Despite the loss, Yanez has already joined Tañamor, Ruenroeng, Hovhannes and four other boxers to the Beijing Olympics. Other fighters who had qualified in light-flyweight class are Ukraine's Georgiy Chygayev, France's Nordine Oubaali, Ireland's Patrick Barnes and defending champion Zou Shiming. ABAP president Manny Lopez said the victory gave credence to the decision of the association to field Tañamor despite his age. ''I, for one, believe that Harry remains deadly as ever. He is in great shape as proven by his victory. The quality of competitions has improved greatly and ABAP is glad of Harry's achievement,'' Lopez said. - GMANews.TV