Boholst, Vicera boost
title-retention bids

ILOILO — Delfin Boholst and Bill Vicera scored early stoppages in the quarterfinals and boosted their chances of scoring second straight titles in the 2008 PLDT-Smart National Open Boxing Championships Wednesday at the Robinson’s Place here.

Boholst, who competed in the 2007 World Championships in Chicago and winner of the light welterweight gold in the National Open last year, stopped Sherwin Juarez of the Air Force in the third round (Referee Stopped Contest-Outclassed).

Vicera, defending his pin-weight gold, also won via RSC-OC in the third round against Micheal Salila.

Featherweight Joan Tipon, gold medalist in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, advanced to the quarterfinals after an RSC-Compulsary Count Limit win with 41 seconds left in the second round against Allen Manaog of Northern Samar.

Defending featherweight champion Joegen Ladon of the Philippine Navy also scored an early stoppage, winning over Arlon Paderijal of Antique via RSC-OC at 1:32 in the first round.

Junel Cantancio, also a national team member, also advanced after a walkover against Rafael Ayadi of Puerto Princesa.

Meanwhile, Cuban coach Dagoberto Rojas Scott has been holding seminars for participating coaches in the week-long championships organized by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines and hosted by Iloilo City and supported by Pacific Heights.

Close to a hundred of coaches are attending the seminar held every morning at the Central Elementary School while referee-judges are also being given the chance to upgrade their level thru the ABAP Accreditation Seminar at the Balauarte National School.

"The Open does not only showcase the talents of our boxers but also is an avenue to improve the craft of our coaches and referee-judge that will strengthen boxing development in the country," said ABAP president Manny Lopez.
Local bet Leonardo Delarmino, a wushu artist, made it to the light welterweight semifinals with an RSC-OS win over Navyman Robert Delsario.