PINOY BOXERS CLOSE TO ALI GOLD MEDALS

Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 20, 1997 -- Two Filipino boxers totally outclassed their opponents in the semi-finals of the Muhammad Ali Cup Invitational Boxing Championships, giving their country's team two chances at gold medals.

A report faxed to the Philippine Star said Roel Velasco beat Indonesian Damianus Jordan, 15-4, while Sonny Dollente beat USA's Clarence Vinzon, 7-4. Velasco now has to face the star of the US team, Gabriel Elizondo, for the gold medal in the lightflyweight division and the Ali Cup that goes to the best boxer awardee.

Dollente is aiming for his second international gold medal as he fight Kazakh Ezsin Delijuov.

Team manager Arsenio Lacson reported the victories immediately to Manila, where Amateur Boxing Association President Manny T. Lopez instructed the two boxers by phone to keep up the momentum.