6 MEDALS FOR RP BOXERS IN WORLD MEET
Tallinn, Estonia, Oct. 4, 1998 - Light flyweight Roel Velasco, the 1997 World Boxing Championship silver medallist, secured a 4-2 victory over brawler and tough defender Jerome Thomas of France on his way to the finals of the 6th Karl Leman International Championships. Compatriot flyweight Arlan Lerio won by default when Belarussian Andrei Isaev failed to suit up due to a sprained right hand. Also gaining points for Team Caltex Philippines were welter Reynaldo Galido and lightweight Joel Barriga, both of whom entered the semifinals.
The victories skein assured the Filipinos of at least two silvers and four bronzes, pushing them in contention for overall honors with the French in the nine-nation European ranking tournament. Eric Canoy, a gold medalist in the 1994 Hiroshima Asiad, battles Lithuania's Mario Tamulis, while lightweight Romeo Brin faces Estonia's Albert Starikov in Saturday's semis.
The 23-year-old Galido will be meeting Finland's Amin Asikainen, while the 26-year-old Barriga will be tackling Latvia's Saveljev in the semis.
"The boys are in top form. There's a good chance we can bring home some golds," said head coach Pat Gaspi.
Caltex Philippines financed the boxers' stint here as part of their preparations for the Bangkok Asian Games this December.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 1998 by PHILIPPINE
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