State junior boxers poise to roar at national boxing meet

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PUNCHING THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS: State boxing coach Fred Mandagi (third left) giving punching tactics to score points. From left are Haziq Effendy, Stanley Gundie Pati, Wilson Libau, Rhester Bagong and Aisamudin Muhamad.

KUCHING: Five state junior fighters are confident of their chances at the National Youth Boxing Championships 2012 which commences today till Dec 15 at the Selangor Darul Ehsan Sports Complex.

The five Sarawak Sukma 2014 boxers in action are Haziq Effendy in the 40kg weight category, Stanley Gundie Pati (48kg), Wilson Libau (50kg), Rhester Bagong (54kg) and Aisamudin Muhamad (56kg) will be joining the battle with 75 other boxers from throughout the country who entered the annual boxing tournament organised by the Malaysian Amateur Boxing Association.

Speaking to The Borneo Post, Sarawak head coach Fred Mandagi said the draw saw Stanley Gundie, Haziq Effendy, Wilson Libau, Rhester Bagong and Aisamudin Muhamad staring their campaign with preliminary rounds bouts against Mohd Kamal Tajuddin of Kuala Lumpur, Elias Stephen (Sabah), Nivarajan (Perak), Halim Samad (Terenganu) and Kumargusaran (Penang) respectively.

The coach disclosed that if Stanley wins, he will meet Pahang Sukma gold medallist Stephen Muhanasaran of Selangor on Thursday, with the rest awaiting the winner of Wednesday’s opponents from Group A and C clashes.

“Preparations and training have gone very well and the team is looking forward to the start their campaign today. The matches’ promises to be very competitive as the best junior boxers in Malaysia at this level are here,” Fred said.

He added that the lads have had a great training camp here in Matang Jaya, Kuching and they are fit and healthy, and are very eager to get into the ring.

“We are optimistic although it’s a tough draw, very tough. We’ll take it one bout at a time. Three of our fighters are in action today and our focus is on those bouts and hopefully we will get off to a winning start,¨ Fred enthused.