Philippine boxer Tanamor to train in Cuba for Olympics

MANILA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Philippines' star boxer Harry Tanamor will get "rigid training" in Cuba as he carries the biggest hope for Filipinos to score an Olympic medal in the Beijing Games this August, local media reported Wednesday.

"Tanamor will compete in the Balado Cup in Havana, train there and will also be taken under the wings of an American conditioning coach," online edition of Manila Bulletin quoted William Ramirez, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, as saying.

Ramirez said he still has hope that Tanamor can bring back an Olympic medal despite the fact that all other hopeful Filipino boxers suffered humiliating defeats in a series of Olympic qualification tournaments.

Home to World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Manny Paquio, the Filipinos have largely hoped the country's amateur boxers can bring back an Olympic medal in this August's Beijing Olympic Games.

But only light featherweight Harry Tanamor has gained the solo Olympic berth for Filipino boxers by finishing at the second place of the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Chicago. He was defeated by China's rising star Zou Shiming.

At present, 14 Filipino athletes have been qualified to compete in Beijing Games in sports including boxing, diving, swimming and taekwondo.