Filipino boxers Violito Payla and Joan Tipon not only gave the Philippines
two of its three gold medals so far, their victories may well mark a watershed
in the country's battle for Asian boxing supremacy against Thailand, local media
reported today.
For years, both the Philippines and Thailand have fought a titanic war for
boxing spremacy in the region, said a report by The Manila Bulletin daily,
adding that the rivalry has extended to the Asian Games and the Olympics where
the Thais have proven to be more superior.
Indeed, it was in boxing where Thailand won its first and second Olympic
golds while the Philippines, whose own Olympic gold medal bid has always rested
on boxing, has fallen short time and time again, said the report.
Finally, the Philippines made a breakthrough in the 15th Asian Games in Doha.
The 24-year-old Tipon, who nipped Athens Olympics silver medalist Worapoj
Petchkoom of Thailand Monday, firmed up his claim as the top bantam in the
region by demolishing Han Soon Chun of South Korea, 21-10, to earn the gold in
the 54-kilogram class on Wednesday.
One day before Tipon's victory, the 27-year-old Payla dethronedan aging
Songjit Jongjohor of Thailand with an impressive 31-15 decision to claim the
flyweight crown.
The Filipino boxers said they will next focus on winning the golds in the
2008 Olympics in Beijing.
