Saludar, Barriga crash out in World Boxing Champoinships

PH'S BEST BET. Asian games gold medalist Rey Saludar fails on his bid for an outright spot in the 2012 London Olympics.

BAKU, Azerbaijan—Light flyweight Mark Anthony Barriga and flyweight Rey Saludar lost their bids to land in the quarterfinals of the Aiba World Boxing Championships which would have automatically earned for them a booking for the 2012 Olympics.

The pint-sized Barriga bowed to China’s Zou Shiming, two-time world champion and Beijing Olympics gold medalist, 12-5.

Saludar was beaten by American Rau’Shee Warren, 22-12.

All is not lost for the country’s Olympic dreams, however. There will be 10 qualifiers in each category from this competition (except in the heavyweight and super-heavyweight; they get 6 each).

The quarterfinalists make up the bulk, while two slots go to the round of 16 losers to the eventual gold and silver medalists. Thus, if Zou and Warren enter the finals of the competition, Barriga and Saludar also book a ticket to London.