Tampere, Finland- As snow gently blanketed this quaint industrial city 170 kilometers north of Helsinki, Victorio Saludar, 19, warmed up the opening day of the 31st Tammer Cup Thursday evening with a short but methodical demolition of Al Mas Dhandhani of the United Arab Emirates.
Saludar, the youngest of the PLDT-ABAP team of four nationals here, used barely a minute of fight time in disposing of his startled foe. At the get-go, he went after the startled Arab with a flurry of punches that forced his opponent to back up against his own corner only to be deluged with more punishment. The referee from England then issued the first of two standing 8-counts just a little over half a minute into the match.
The UAE fighter tried to make a fight of it as he emerged from the count, but the young pugilist from Polomolok, South Cotabato and the rich boxing stable of Barangay Una in Panabo, Davao del Norte resumed his relentless attack that had his adversary again back-pedaling into the ropes where the referee shortly stopped the brief carnage, 1:51 left in the first round.
The amused crowd at the Pynikki Palloiluhalissa Stadium broke out in wild applause for the stunning performance of the young Filipino. Many were overheard mentioning the name of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao amidst a cacophony of languages.
Executive Director Ed Picson, who heads the Philippine delegation here with coaches Roel Velasco and Ronald Chavez, was not surprised. "We get that a lot. People everywhere identify our boxers with Pacquiao. We don't mind, obviously. We're proud to be associated with him", referring to the 7-division boxing title-holder who graciously allowed the PLDT-ABAP team to observe his rigorous closed-door training in Baguio a few days before the team's departure for Finland.
With the win, Saludar earned a slot in the semi-finals on Saturday against Russian Artem Ivaschenko, a 3-2 decision winner over Robert Kanalas of Hungary, assuring him of at least a bronze medal finish.
Friday sees Charly Suarez (56 Kg) seeing action against Anatoly Bokreev of Russia, Light Welterweight Delfin Boholst versus Scot Jason Easton and Rey Saludar seeing action for the first time against another fighter from the UAE, Ahmed Al Mesmari in the 52 Kg category.
The tournament, started in 1977, counts among its illustrious alumni the likes of Mike Tyson and Oscar de la Hoya. The Tammer Cup drew 22 countries this year with 92 boxers. It ends Sunday.[pr]
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