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kenyan_cheena · 09-09-2006, 07:58 PM

THREE WEEKS DOWN, FIVE TO GO

Saturday 25 May 2002

The third week of the International Boxing League's World Championship tournament regional selection trials came to a close today. As had been the case during the first two weeks, a number of unexpected gems were discovered during the past six days.

***

In the Philippines it's been a big week for boxing, one where the country has played host to both the International Boxing League and the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's South-East Asian Boxing League. At Quezon City's Araneta Coliseum, the IBL have been running their eyes over the nation's best talent and they like what they've seen. In particular, a pair of teenage Lightweights have impressed above all others.

17 year-old Gabriele Elorde and 16 year-old Ben Villaflor look like they have the talent and belief to go far in the IBL. Although not the strongest fighter Elorde has an excellent technique. He is aggressive but is also very sound defensively, with a lightning fast jab and left hook that have earned him the nickname "Flash" during these trials. Villaflor is of a similar style but possesses greater strength. The two young men have circled each other this week and when the IBL finally put them in against each other, sparks flied as they competed to get an early bit of one-upmanship, knowing that they'll clash again once the qualifying tournament commences.

"Those two kids look good enough to carry the hopes of their nation on their shoulders," said IBL Chief Director Raymond Bell. "It's clear that it's a matter of great pride for them, not just the representation but which one of them will prove himself to be the best. That will be some fight when they get in the ring together."

***

At Berlin's Estrel Convention Center, the IBL enjoyed a mildly successful week, with a 21 year-old Welterweight named Gustav Eder putting his hand up as one to watch.

Hailing from the city of Dortmund, Eder impressed with his suberb fitness and ability to take a punch, in addition to being an excellent tactician. He may not be blessed with power, but he has tremendous speed in those fists of his.

Olympic Light-Heavyweight bronze medallist Graciano Rocchigiani spent considerable time at the selection trials and he was quite happy with what he saw.

"There are some promising fighters here," he said. "Especially that Welterweight named Eder. He should be good enough to make the World Championship tournament, just from what I saw of him. I also met an interesting guy who said he was from America originally, in Connecticut. His name was Scott Mundt. Uh, he said he moved over here a couple of years ago and lives in Zeitz, which is his grandfather's hometown. Looked very fit, tough and strong, but he said that he's too heavy for the IBL. He said that maybe if we had been around ten years ago, he'd have been able to try out at Light-Heavy. He told me that he would be auditioning for the HBF when they come here next month, so he's a guy you should look out for. Funny thing is that he was an accountant back in the States, which is exactly what I am thinking of studying some day. You know, I won't be able to box forever and I'll need something to do when I eventually retire. We had a nice conversation about it, and he encouraged me to go ahead with it. So, yeah. It's been an interesting week."

***

The International Boxing League's Congo selection trials unveiled a number of promising fighters, but two in particular stood up above the rest. Cornelius Boza-Edwards of Uganda, a Lightweight who will celebrate his 21st birthday on Monday and a heavy-hitting Light-Heavyweight named Shabani Mputu earned themselves a place in the regional qualifiers with some eye-catching performances during their trial bouts.

***

Perhaps misled by the superb talent of Light-Heavyweight Gold medallist Mauro Mina, the IBL were expecting big things from their stop over in Peru. It didn't quite work out that way, although they did discover another skillful Light-Heavyweight in 19 year-old Francisco Avelino. The young man said that he was inspired by Mina's heroics at the Sydney Olympics and will be hoping for even a fraction of that kind of success in his own professional career.

09-09-2006, 07:58 PM	#75 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,311	THREE WEEKS DOWN, FIVE TO GO Saturday 25 May 2002 The third week of the International Boxing League's World Championship tournament regional selection trials came to a close today. As had been the case during the first two weeks, a number of unexpected gems were discovered during the past six days. * In the Philippines it's been a big week for boxing, one where the country has played host to both the International Boxing League and the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's South-East Asian Boxing League. At Quezon City's Araneta Coliseum, the IBL have been running their eyes over the nation's best talent and they like what they've seen. In particular, a pair of teenage Lightweights have impressed above all others. 17 year-old Gabriele Elorde and 16 year-old Ben Villaflor look like they have the talent and belief to go far in the IBL. Although not the strongest fighter Elorde has an excellent technique. He is aggressive but is also very sound defensively, with a lightning fast jab and left hook that have earned him the nickname "Flash" during these trials. Villaflor is of a similar style but possesses greater strength. The two young men have circled each other this week and when the IBL finally put them in against each other, sparks flied as they competed to get an early bit of one-upmanship, knowing that they'll clash again once the qualifying tournament commences. "Those two kids look good enough to carry the hopes of their nation on their shoulders," said IBL Chief Director Raymond Bell. "It's clear that it's a matter of great pride for them, not just the representation but which one of them will prove himself to be the best. That will be some fight when they get in the ring together." * At Berlin's Estrel Convention Center, the IBL enjoyed a mildly successful week, with a 21 year-old Welterweight named Gustav Eder putting his hand up as one to watch. Hailing from the city of Dortmund, Eder impressed with his suberb fitness and ability to take a punch, in addition to being an excellent tactician. He may not be blessed with power, but he has tremendous speed in those fists of his. Olympic Light-Heavyweight bronze medallist Graciano Rocchigiani spent considerable time at the selection trials and he was quite happy with what he saw. "There are some promising fighters here," he said. "Especially that Welterweight named Eder. He should be good enough to make the World Championship tournament, just from what I saw of him. I also met an interesting guy who said he was from America originally, in Connecticut. His name was Scott Mundt. Uh, he said he moved over here a couple of years ago and lives in Zeitz, which is his grandfather's hometown. Looked very fit, tough and strong, but he said that he's too heavy for the IBL. He said that maybe if we had been around ten years ago, he'd have been able to try out at Light-Heavy. He told me that he would be auditioning for the HBF when they come here next month, so he's a guy you should look out for. Funny thing is that he was an accountant back in the States, which is exactly what I am thinking of studying some day. You know, I won't be able to box forever and I'll need something to do when I eventually retire. We had a nice conversation about it, and he encouraged me to go ahead with it. So, yeah. It's been an interesting week." * The International Boxing League's Congo selection trials unveiled a number of promising fighters, but two in particular stood up above the rest. Cornelius Boza-Edwards of Uganda, a Lightweight who will celebrate his 21st birthday on Monday and a heavy-hitting Light-Heavyweight named Shabani Mputu earned themselves a place in the regional qualifiers with some eye-catching performances during their trial bouts. * Perhaps misled by the superb talent of Light-Heavyweight Gold medallist Mauro Mina, the IBL were expecting big things from their stop over in Peru. It didn't quite work out that way, although they did discover another skillful Light-Heavyweight in 19 year-old Francisco Avelino. The young man said that he was inspired by Mina's heroics at the Sydney Olympics and will be hoping for even a fraction of that kind of success in his own professional career. __________________ The Heavyweight Boxing Federation The Heavyweight Boxing Federation: Tournament Group Standings The International Boxing League MLB: 1958 and Beyond... Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 05-28-2007 at 09:38 PM.