Light-flyweight Suban, an experienced campaigner, unleashed a series of powerful punches on the head and body of Iraq's Ali Najah before winning on points 30-21 in a four-round thriller.

Suban, a gold medallist at the Bangkok Games in 1998, was not happy with the way he boxed. "My showing was not up to my expectations. It was not what I thought it would be. I had some difficult situations in the match and somehow got out of it. I have to use more power in my punches," he said

"I was warned several times by the referee and it didn't help. My points were deducted and there was palpable tension in the camp.

"I think I have to improve my style in the next fight against Filipino Gadfrey Castro. He is a fast boxer and punches quite hard. I will be meeting him for the first time and I won't underestimate him," said Suban, a bronze medallist at the previous Games in Busan, South Korea. The fight between Suban and Castro will take place on Monday.

In the bout between Worapoj and Qatar's Adel Chakeri in the bantamweight class, the hard-hitting Thai dominated the first two rounds to take a commanding 19-5 lead. Worapoj pummelled his challenger with stinging jabs and powerful hooks in the third round.

Referee Nour Mohammad of Turkmenistan stepped in to stop the one-side contest when the Thai was leading 20-1 in the third round.

"I was tired. It may be because of the cold weather here. It has been raining everyday since I've been here. I really need to keep my body in good condition," Worapoj said.

"I have fought [Filipino] Joan Tipon before in Vietnam and I won. He is sound technically but I don't think I will have any problem in beating him in the semifinals," he added.

The fight between Tipon, who won the gold medal in the Asian Championships in Ho Chi Minh City last year, and Worapoj will also be held on Monday.

So far, four Thai boxers have made it to the semifinals. They are Athens Olympic gold medallist Manus Boonjumnong, former world champion and title-holder Somjit Jongjohor, Worapoj and Suban.

Today, former wushu star Angkhan Chomphuphuang will be the star attraction in the welterweight quarterfinals against Tajikistan's Sherali Mamadaliev.

The reigning Asian Games 65kg wushu champion created a stir in the competition when he outboxed Asian Games defending champ Kim Jung Joo of South Korea in the qualifying contest before stopping Filipino Frances Joven in the third round in the preliminary bout.

Angkhan aims to continue his dream run by winning a boxing gold medal in the Asian Games. If he succeeds, he will be the first Thai to win gold medals in two different sporting disciplines.

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

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