Harry Tanamor Wins Gold in Russia

Veteran Olympian Harry Tanamor rebounded from his fruitless Olympic campaign in Beijing back in August. The 31 year-old Filipino boxer won a gold medal in the International Amateur Boxing Association World Cup held in Moscow, Russia.

Tanamor defeated a Polish boxer in the semi-finals faced the tough Cuban Yampier Hernandez in the finals. Tanamor, who possibly fought his last bout, dismantled Hernandez and scored a commanding 15-7 to win the gold medal in the light-flyweight division.

Tanamor, a staff sergeant in the Philippine Army, won a silver medal in the 2007 World Championship on his way to the 2008 Olympics. He was highly anticipated as the only Filipino athlete to win a medal in Beijing but was unexpectedly ousted by Manyo Plange of Ghana in the first round.

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Manny Pacquiao Stops Oscar De La Hoya in Eight Rounds

(photo credit:  yahoo sports/AP)

(photo credit:  yahoo sports/Getty Images/Jewel Samad

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao overcame the size advantage of Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya and pummeled him into submission in the ninth round of their highly-anticipated bout dubbed as the Dream Match. After eight lopsided rounds, De La Hoya’s corner decided to give up the fight.

The fight was going easily in favor of Pacquiao as he had no trouble dominating De La Hoya in the early goings. By round five, De La Hoya’s left eye was already swelling and by the eighth round, his left eye was swollen shut. De La Hoya’s swollen eye and slowed reflex meant trouble for him as he eventually retired to his corner before the start of the ninth round.

Pacquiao carried out the game plan and methodically dismantled De La Hoya with well-timed punches as well as evading the opposition’s attacks. Pacquiao moved in fluid motion in the ring making him an elusive target for De La Hoya.

The victory against De La Hoya puts Pacquiao in a whole new level of greatness. With the win, Pacquaio essentially cemented his place as the top pound-for-pound boxer today.

Manny Pacquiao improved to 48-3-2 (37 KOs) while Oscar De La Hoya fell to 39-6(30 KOs).

(photo credit:  yahoo sports/AP

(photo credit:  yahoo sports/AP

(photo credit: yahoo sports/AP)

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Edgar Sosa Stops Juanito Rubillar, Retains His WBC Crown

Veteran Juanito Rubillar failed yet again to capture a boxing world title for the Philippinies when Edgar Sosa of Mexico KOd him in the seventh round of their WBC light flyweight championship bout in Mexico City.

(photo credit: yahoo sports/getty images/alfredo estrella)

Rubillar looked to be control in the early goings of the fight but Sosa stepped on the gas in the fourth round and dominated the Filipino challenger. Sosa landed hard hits in the seventh round that rattled Rubillar. With just ten seconds left in the round, the referee decided to stop the bout when Rubillar was unable to recover.

It was Rubillar’s fifth attempt to win a world title and this will probably be his last crack to win the gold. Sosa, on the other hand, successfully defended his WBC light flyweight crown for the seventh straight time.

Sosa improved to 34-5 (18 KO) while Rubillar fell to 46-11-7 (22 KO).

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