RP BAGS MUHAMMAD ALI GOLD MEDAL

Manila, Sept. 21, 1997 -- Filipino light-flyweight Roel Velasco won for the Philippines a gold medal in the first Muhammad Ali Cup Invitational Boxing Championship held in Louisville, Kentucky. Velasco's victory was relayed by phone to Manny Lopez, head of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP).

Velasco outpointed American Gabriel Elizondo, 28-26, for his third international gold medal this year. He added he Muhammad Ali Cup victory to his other triumphs in Cuba and Italy earlier

The other Filipino boxer to reach the finals, flyweight Sonny Dollente, settled for the silver medal after losing to Ezsin Delijuov of Kazakhstan.