Manus leads Thai boxers' march

Sports News : Monday December 10, 2007

BOXING

Manus leads Thai boxers' march

KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT

Nakhon Ratchasima / Olympic light-welterweight champion Manus Boonjumnong and four other Thai boxers stormed into the finals after securing comfortable wins in the semi-finals yesterday.

The other Thai winners were flyweight Somjit Jongjohor, middleweight Suriya Prasathinphimai, featherweight Sailom Adi and pinweight fighter Kaeo Pongprayoon.

Manus had few problems against SEA Games debutant Nanthalath Xaiyavong of Laos who was stopped in the second round.

''This is my warm-up tournament for the Olympic qualifying round,'' Manus said.

''My weight and fitness are much better than in the World Championships two months ago (when he lost in his opening bout).''

Manus will take on Larry Semiliano of the Philippines in the final.

At middleweight, Olympic bronze medallist Suriya stopped Sai Heng Hin of Cambodia with a powerful punch in the second round. ''I tried to win it not only for myself but also for my fans,'' said the Nakhon Ratchasima native. ''I want to make them happy.''

Junie Tizon of the Philippines stands in Suriya's way in the final.

In the pinweight, Kaeo, who is fighting in his fourth SEA Games, scored an RSC win over Bill Vicente Vicera of the Philippines in the third round.

In the final bout, he meets Sikham Vongpakhoune, Laos' only gold medal hopeful.

''It will not be difficult for me against Sikham,'' said a confident Kaeo.

At featherweight, Sailom stopped Eddey Kalai of Malaysia in the second round. His final opponent is Tacuvan Orlando Jr of the Philippines.

Flyweight Somjit, the 2003 world champion, sealed a 19-1 points victory over Nguyen Trong Dat of Vietnam.

Godfrey Castro of the Philippines is his final opponent in his bid for his fifth SEA Games gold medal.

Taweep Jantararoj, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand, said that all the Thai finallists seemed to be able to win gold medals easily except for Kaeo in the 45kg division.

Thailand are aiming to sweep all gold medals in the 10-division men's boxing.

In the women's event, all Thais in the semi-finals also scored wins yesterday.

Pinweight Dueannapha Ngamlam beat Rotty Yunikenda of Indonesia 17-4. She will take on Yen Vu Thi Hai of Vietnam in the final.

Flyweight Hansa Kadeewong beat Nguyen Thi Chien of Vietnam 15-10 to meet Albania Annie of the Philippines in the gold medal bout.

Bantamweight Tassamalee Thongjan defeated Dinh Thi Phuong Thanh of Vietnam 23-10. Her final rival is Chilem Jouveliet of the Philippines.

Featherweight Peamwilai Laopeam secured a 15-5 points victory over Ngu Tai Chung of Vietnam.

In the final, the Thai takes on Ronijen Sofla of the Philippines who reached the gold medal bout without breaking sweat because there are only three boxers in the class.

By : Bangkok Post