Eljay Pamisa of the Philippines dropped a close 3-2 decision to Abduvali Buriboev of Uzbekistan on Monday night to settle for the silver medal in the Asian Boxing Confederation Junior and Youth Championships at the Al Hossein Sports City in Amman, Jordan.
Pamisa, 17, was earlier booked to face India’s Anand Yadav, but a protest launched by Buriboev’s camp was upheld, sending the Uzbek instead against the Filipino fighter from the other semifinal pair in the Men’s Youth 54-kg category.
Pamisa reached the final following a spectacular win over Iran’s Nima Beygi Thursday, using effective counter-attacks and deft footwork, en route to the golden showdown against Buriboev.
A nephew of Southeast Asian Games veteran Elmer, Pamisa used to fight in the 46-kg class, where he also bagged a silver medal in the 2019 Asian Junior Championships in Al Fujaira, United Arab Emirates.
Buriboev looked headed to an easy coast to the final as he blanked Chirring Wardi Sherpa, 5-0, in the elimination round, disposed of Mohammad Ali Baddo of Syria via Referee-Stopped-Contest in the third round, before facing a more difficult hurdle in Yadav.
Meanwhile, Pamisa faced his most difficult task right in his first outing, barely hurdling Chomonov Askatbek of Kyrgyzstan (3-2).
The next two opponents who followed were relatively an easy breeze as Pamisa blanked Habeeblibzo of Jordan (5-0) and Nima Beygi of Iran (5-0) in the quarters and semifinals, respectively, to assure himself of a silver finish in the tournament that drew 355 participants from 21 nations.
Other members of Team Philippines are junior boxers (15-16 yrs old) Robert Malunoc Jr. (46 kg), Justine Valero (48 kg), and Van Hendrich Abing (50 kg). The youth boxers (16-17 yrs. old) are Reymond Lofranco (48 kg) and John Wayne Vicera (51 kg).
Coaches are Elmer Pamisa and Gerson Nietes, while secretary general Marcus Manalo served as team manager.
Appointed by the ASBC as Technical Delegate for the tournament is Karina Picson. Also in the event is 3-star International Referee-Judge Rolando Jose.
Meanwhile, the ASBC held its Congress and Elections on Saturday at the Marriott Bonvoy Hotel in the same city.
Representing the Philippines were Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Ed Picson and secretary general Manalo.
Thailand’s Pichai Chunhavajira was elected as the new ASBC president besting his opponent Saken Polatov of Uzbekistan, 18 votes to 11.