8 Filipino boxers begin medal campaign Saturday

SINGAPORE—Eight Filipino pugs are up on the very first day of boxing competitions in the Southeast Asian Games led by returning champions Josie Gabuco and Mario Fernandez.

Highly rated in the tourney, the Filipino boxers are counted upon to carry the Philippine campaign starting Saturday at Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Center.

The team was set to arrive here last night holding out to duplicate if not surpass their performance two years ago in Burma where they clinched three golds, four silvers and three bronzes.

The Filipinos, however, will run smack against their Thai counterparts as boxing competitions have been largely a clash of two countries for many years. Last SEAG, Thailand bagged seven golds.

Gabuco, a 5-foot-1 slugger from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, will open up the campaign as the women’s light flyweight begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, while Fernandez is also expected to do  good in the bantamweight preliminary.

At 28, Gabuco is one of the most anticipated athletes here having won the gold in the past three SEA Games. She also has the 2012 World Women’s Championship gold and the 2011 President’s Cup golds under her belt.