Olongapo's Martin won gold, Abarra Silver

Martin of Olongapo retained his welterweight crown by winning over Joseph Lopez of Camiguin by retirement in 1:12 of the third round as Asian Games bronze medalist Godfrey Castro of Philippine Army denied Olongapo a second gold when he beat Larry Abarra in the bantamweight finals via a referee stopped contest-outscored (RSC-O) in the third round.

Tacuyan completes amazing show; Dodie Boy son shines


By Dennis U. Eroa - Inquirer Libre


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Lanky Orlando Tacuyan Jr. put an exclamation point to a memorable week by capturing the featherweight gold even as a junior boxer from a family of world champions shone at the close of the 2007 Smart National Open Boxing Championships at the Misamis Oriental Capitol Saturday night here.

The 5-foot-9 Tacuyan, whose go-go style belies his young age, proved that his string of victories over rated foes was no fluke as he dealt Charly Suarez a 51-43 beating to emerge on top of the 57-kg class.

A member of the national training pool based in Baguio City, the 19-year-old Tacuyan punished his foe with combinations to the head to claim his first gold in the annual slugfest.

Tacuyan’s impressive performance earned him the tournament’s Best Boxer Award, a feat widely applauded by a huge gallery that included legendary Cuban mentor Dr. Alcides Sagarra Caron.

“I’m delighted to win the gold, especially after beating two members of the national team,” said Tacuyan, son of a former RP fighter and a policewoman who shocked Doha Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon in the first round.

Tipon and Suarez earned the nod of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, headed by Manny T. Lopez, to compete in the World Boxing Championships starting Oct. 18 in Chicago, Illinois.

Sharing the limelight with Tacuyan was Dodie Peñalosa, who gave Cebu City a bantamweight gold in the Cadet (15-17 years) division.

With his father and former world champion Dodie Boy at his corner, the young Peñalosa wowed the crowd with his ring savvy en route to a 21-11 win over Warren Baterta of host Misamis Oriental.

Pinweight Conrado Tañamor and Artist Martin also won impressively in the junior division.

Tañamor, younger brother of two-time Olympian Harry, pocketed the pinweight gold by outclassing Jomar Cordinillo of Tagbilaran (RSC-O, 3rd round) while Martin of Olongapo retained his welterweight crown by winning over Joseph Lopez of Camiguin by retirement in 1:12 of the third round.

Asian Games bronze medalist Godfrey Castro of Philippine Army denied Olongapo a second gold when he beat Larry Abarra in the bantamweight finals via a referee stopped contest-outscored (RSC-O) in the third round.

Bill Vicera gave Philippine Navy-Bago City the first of its five golds by mauling Ritchie Behec of Davao del Norte in the veterans’ pinweight finals.

Navy, which unseated Army as overall champion, also won golds courtesy of light-flyweight Albert Pabila, lightweight Joegin Ladon, welterweight Larry Semillano and light heavyweight Junie Tizon.

Pabila, who shocked Harry Tañamor in the preliminaries, whipped Frederick de la Cruz of Davao City (RSC-O, 2nd round); Ladon bested Armyman Genebert Basadre, 40-33; Semillano humbled Wilfredo Lopez, 32-19, while Tizon downed Almar Adiong (retired, 3rd round).

Light-flyweight Violito Payla gave Army its second gold via an RSC-O (Referee Stopped Contest-Outclassed) win in the third round over Rey Saludar of Davao del Norte.

Armyman Max Tabangcora pocketed the heavyweight gold over teammate Maraon Golez (RSC-O, 3rd round).

Light welterweight Delfin Boholst gave host Misamis Oriental its lone gold over Armyman Anthony Igusquiza, who retired due to a bleeding left eyebrow.