Eight countries are medallists in the Southeast Asian Games
The boxing tournament of the Southeast Asian Games continued in the capital city of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur with 15 contests on Monday. Malaysia’s Muhammad Fuad Bin Mohamed Redzuan delivered the main sensation of the second competition day following his triumph over Philippines’ favourite Carlo Paalam. Eight countries achieved at least one medal in the SEA Games where Thailand kept its unbeaten record after Day2.
The boxing tournament of the Southeast Asian Games is scheduled in six men’s weight classes in Kuala Lumpur this time: light flyweight (49kg), flyweight (52kg), bantamweight (56kg), light welterweight (64kg), middleweight (75kg) and light heavyweight (81kg). The multisport event is a small Olympic Games in the region and boxing is one of the most familiar sport in the official program.
Light flyweight (49kg):
Vietnam’s Huynh Ngoc Tan is one of the most experienced male boxer from his country who competed already in the 2011 edition of the Southeast Asian Games. The multiple National Champion Vietnamese boxer delivered a classical KO triumph against Cambodia’s Tola Sann in the first preliminary round of the SEA Games. The 26-year-old Vietnamese boxer continued his winning path against Timor Leste’s Antoninho Dos Santos and will now meet in the semi-final with Thailand’s ASBC Asian Youth Champion Thani Narinram who had a narrow victory over Indonesia’s No.1 Kornelis Kwangu Langu.
Laos’ Southeast Asian Games bronze medallist Bounpone Lasavongsy started his campaign already in the first round of the competition on Sunday. Laos’ light flyweight (49kg) boxer returned to the sport after a short break and defeated Singapore’s 20-year-old Prithiv Raaj Elansharan by split decision in the first preliminary round and repeated the same performance against Myanmar’s Wai Phyo Tun which means he is already a guaranteed medallist in Kuala Lumpur. The experienced boxer will be meeting in the semi-final with Malaysia’s No.1 Muhammad Fuad Bin Mohamed Redzuan who did a big sensation when he eliminated Philippines’ AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Carlo Paalam.
Bantamweight (56kg):
Thailand’s ASBC Asian Champion and two-time Olympian Chatchai Butdee had to beat a strong rival as first in the boxing tournament of the Southeast Asian Games, Malaysia’s Arfiqanie Bin Ahmad Anshori, who developed well in the recent two years. Following Butdee’s first success in Kuala Lumpur he was concentrated in his second bout in the Games and defeated Indonesia’s new sensation Simon Makerawe. Butdee advanced to the semi-final where his next opponent will be Laos’ Vilaysack Chansamone who defeated Timor Leste’s Teonisio Nobelino Da Paz by unanimous decision.
The second main gold medal contender at the bantamweight (56kg), Philippines’ Incheon 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist Mario Fernandez spent only a short time in the ring and knocked out Myanmar’s Maung Nge yesterday. The Filipino pride had stronger opponent as second, Vietnam’s Tran Phu Cuong but he was able to find the weak points of his experienced rival in the quarter-final. Fernandez will now meet with Cambodia’s National Games winner Nat Siek Nin who defeated Singapore’s Danial Abdul Jalil in a hectic contest.
Light welterweight (64kg):
Thailand’s best boxer Wuttichai Masuk is ASBC Asian Champion, Asian Games winner and bronze medallist from the Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships therefore he is the main favourite for a title in the Southeast Asian Games. The 27-year-old Thai star stopped Cambodia’s Phal Sophon in the first preliminary round and after that quick success he won all of the rounds against Vietnam’s Bui Phuoc Tung. Masuk’s next opponent will be Philippines’ Incheon 2014 Asian Games silver medallist Charly Suarez which contest is an early final in this weight class.
Singapore’s Leong Jun Hao is their most experienced boxer who did amazing style of boxing already in the 2015 edition. Singapore’s No.1 had to meet in the quarter-final with Laos’ veteran Udone Khanxay but Leong’s patient style was enough to keep the control of the bout until the end of the final bell. Leong is now guaranteed medallist and will be meeting with Indonesia’s 20-year-old Saroha Tua Lumbantobing who dominated his fight against Myanmar’s Aung Pyae Phyo.
Light heavyweight (81kg):
Malaysia’s ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships quarter-finalist Adil Hafidz Bin Mohamed Pauzi had to do his very best against Vietnam’s Vo Van Que in the second competition day to secure his place in the last four. The Malaysian youngster began the bout with quick jabs against his Vietnamese opponent who moved down to the light heavyweight (81kg). The Malaysian boxer won the bout by split decision and will now meet with Singapore’s Muhammad Dine Hakeem for a place in the final.
Philippines did not have any light heavyweight (81kg) boxer in the recent years but their UK-based boxer Marvin John Nobel Tupas was amazed the crowd with his strong combinations in the quarter-final stage of the event. The Filipino boxer clearly dominated his first fight against Cambodia’s Felix Merlin Martinez who competed in Cuban national events between 2008 and 2012. Tupas did enough to win their contest and can prepare to his semi-final against Thailand’s veteran boxer Anavat Thongkrathok who defeated Indonesia’s Bram Hendra Betaubun today.