TRINKLED

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Former Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president Mel Lopez said Friday the way is clear for lightflyweight boxer Harry Tañamor to bring home an Olympic medal from Beijing but it wont be easy sailing to blow by two-time world champion Zou Shiming of host China and European titlist David Ayrapetyan of Russia.

There are 29 contenders in the 48-kilogram division with seven entries from Asia, eight from Europe, six from the Americas, seven from Africa and one from Oceania. Aside from Tañamor, expected to vie for top honors are Zou, Ayrapetyan, Luis Yanez of the US, Yampier Hernandez Gonzalez of Cuba, Erzhan Zhakypov of Kazakhstan and Amnat Ruanroang of Thailand.

Yanez, 18, is a longshot but US coach Dan Campbell is convinced the Duncanville, Texas, qualifier will bring back the first American lightflyweight medal since Michael Carbajals silver in 1988. The last US lightflyweight gold medalist was Paul Gonzales in 1984.

The US has won only three gold medals in boxing in the last four Olympics compared to Cubas 20 and Russias seven so there is pressure on Campbell to turn the corner this year.

Former US national coach Al Mitchell said winning an Olympic gold in boxing is the hardest thing in the world. He explained: Its the peer pressure, the opposition, the country youre in – especially if youre an American – and on top of all that, youre representing your country. Its a hard rock. Mitchell said its unlike in the pros where there are several world titles on the line and lots of chances to win.

Lopez, whose son Manny now heads the ABAP, left for Beijing Friday to witness Tañamors quest for glory.

Luck of the draw is a factor, said Lopez, referring to the preliminary matchups where a loss will mean an automatic exit. But whatever is the draw, Harrys ready to fight. Hes determined.

The draw was held Friday in the Grand Ballroom of the Asia Hotel in Beijing. AIBA advisory council members and 12 International Olympic Committee representatives conducted the draw via the manual system.

The first round of preliminaries will be held on Aug. 13 at the Workers Indoor Arena. The second round of preliminaries are set on Aug. 16, the quarterfinals on Aug. 19, the semifinals on Aug. 22 and the finals on Aug. 24.

Tañamor, who was born in Negros Oriental but raised in Zamboanga City, will turn 30 on Aug. 20, the day after the quarterfinals.

If Harry loses, disgrasya, said Lopez. It will be a different Harry in the ring this time. In the past, he was unsure of himself, urung-sulong. But now, hes mentally stable. He was taken out of the national team for disciplinary reasons and didnt compete in the last Asian Games but for two years now, hes been on the right track. His wife and two kids are very supportive.

Lopez said Tañamor reworked his boxing mechanics training with Cuban coach Enrique Steyners who will be in his corner alongside Pat Gaspi in Beijing.

Harry learned a lot from Steyners, continued Lopez. Before, he had difficulty finding his mark against a moving opponent. Now, his footwork is better and he is able to twist without losing his balance. His punches come from the shoulder and he knows how to land clear shots that wont be missed by the judges.

Lopez said he expects fair officiating with Pakistan despot Anwar Chowdrys ouster and the arrival of Taiwans Dr. Ching Kuo Wu as AIBA president.

I think Harry has better than a 50-50 chance to get a medal, basta wala lang disgrasya, said Lopez. Hes in the best shape of his career. He knows hes the only hope for a medal in boxing. But hes prepared to handle the pressure.

Last May, Tañamor warmed up for Beijing by claiming the gold at the first AIBA President Cup in Sinjhuang City, Taiwan. He took the crown after waylaying Eduard Bermudez of Venezuela, Purevdori Serdamba of Mongolia and Essomba Thomas of Cameroon. The tournament featured seven Olympic qualifiers.

Asia has 62 of 286 slots in boxing where gold medals will be at stake in 11 weight divisions. China and Kazakhstan lead the Asian countries with 10 qualifiers each. Thailand has eight, Uzbekistan seven, India and South Korea five each, Mongolia four, Iran and Tajikistan three each, Japan two, and one apiece for the Democratic Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan and the Philippines.