BOXING
WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI
BEIJING: : Light-flyweight Amnat Ruenroeng sealed a light workout win in his first Olympic bout last night. The Thai defeated Jack Willie of Papua New Guinea 14-2 in the first round (round of 32) as his bosses are looking forward to the ex-convict taking home at least a bronze.
There was little doubt who was going to win the contest after the Thai raced to a 4-0 lead in the opening round. He led 8-0 after two rounds and 12-0 after three rounds.
When Willie got his first point in the fourth and final round, he received a big hand from the crowd. Amnat finally won 14-2 in a fight that looked more like a practice session.
''I am not happy with my performance,'' Amnat said. ''But my opponent was not too strong so I did not have to push too hard.''
He said he called his mother Nid on Mother's Day on Tuesday and she told him to take home a medal. ''I told her I will. I think I can do it,'' said the Chon Buri native.
In the second round (last 16), the former Muay Thai champion will meet Winston Montero of Dominican Republic who defeated Suleiman Wanjau Bilali of Kenya.
Although Amnat has never fought Montero and never seen him in action, he is confident that he will get past him for a quarter-final spot.
Taweep Jantararoj, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand (Abat), said the bout was like a training session as Amnat was too strong for his opponent.
''It was his first fight on the biggest stage, so it was appropriate for him to fight like his opponent was a friend. He had to save himself for the next fight,'' Taweep said.
He said Amnat, who reached the semi-finals at the 2007 World Championships, should be able to finish off Montero in the second round.
After Montero, Amnat was likely to take on Mongolia's Serdamba Purevdorj who beat Ronald Serugo of Uganda last night. ''Amnat should win at least a bronze,'' Taweep said.
Meanwhile, defending light-welterweight champion Manus Boonjumnong and his brother welterweight Manon will be in action today.
Both enjoyed a first-round bye and will begin their campaign in the second round (last 16). Manus faces Japan's Masatsugu Kawachi, while Non takes on Hosam Abin of Egypt and the brothers are expected to go through.
Although Kawachi defeated Manus in their opening bout at the 2007 World Championships, Taweep said it would be different this time.
Taweep said Manus was not in good shape then but he had since trained hard and was at full strength.
''Nothing to be worried about, Manus will certainly win,'' he said.
But Manus would likely face world champion Serik Sapiyev of Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals in a match in which the winner could go all the way to win gold.
As for Non, Taweep said he faced a comfortable job against Abdin but he could meet Carlos Banteaux Suarez of Cuba in the quarter-finals.
There are eight Thai boxers in Beijing with Amnat, flyweight Somjit Jongjohor and middleweight Angkhan Chomphuphuang winning their opening bouts. The other three are bantamweight Worapoj Petchkoom, featherweight Sailom Adi and lightweight Pichai Sayota.
Thailand won one gold, one silver and one bronze in boxing in Athens, and Taweep believes the current squad will eclipse the 2004 team.
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