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Published on December 12, 2007

The hosts' prospect of claiming at least 10 gold medals from boxing looked a distinct possibility after the home boxers reserved their places in all 17 divisions in both men's [10] and women's [7]categories.

With their five team-mates already securing tickets in the finals, the onus was on the remaining boxers to carry the momentum and they did not disappoint the crowd by qualifying in impressive style.

It was not an easy task, fighting the Philippines' boxers. However, light flyweight Amnaj Ruenroeng, who has already qualified for the Olympics next year, made light work of Albert Pabila by sealing a convincing 18-8 victory.

Bantamweight Worapoj, who won a silver medal in the Athens Olympics, recovered from the slow start against Xayyalak Chanthasone of Laos to floor his rival. Worapoj, who is yet to book his place in Beijing, will battle it out for gold with the Filipino fighter Junel Cantancio.

Lightweight Pichai Sayota produced a late outburst of brilliance in the opening round, which saw him overturn a 6-4 deficit to take a 12-6 lead before securing a huge 28-8 victory over Indonesia's Miftah Lubis. Pichai will meet a strong opponent, the Philippines' Joegin Ladon, in the final.

Welterweight Nont Boonjumnong maintained his lethal form by twice sending Laos' Phet Vongthaphanh to the canvas with huge right hooks before the bout was ended in the opening round. Nont will square up with Malaysia's Mohamad Farkhan in the final.

Angkhan Chomphuphuang topped off the hosts' campaign with a flourish by an emphatic win over Muhammad Pane of Indonesia in the light heavyweight class.

Angkhan will face Filipino Maximino Tabangcora in the final round.

Kitinan Sanguansak

 The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima