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Published on November 4, 2007

Flyweight Somjitr, who suffered a humiliating first-round loss at the hands of Cuban Andry Laffita in the previous edition in Mianyang, China two years ago, remained in exceptional form in the star-studded meet, the first qualification for next year's Beijing Olympics.

Showing glimpses of the dazzling form that brought him to the top level of the podium in the 2003 world meet on home soil, Somjit was in total command from the first round, keeping the Italian challenger at bay.

On the final hurdle today, the Thai veteran goes up against the US host's Rau'shee Warren, the 20-year-old hard puncher from Cincinnati. Warren, the youngest member of the US Olympic boxing team for the 2004 Athens Games, ousted Azerbaijan's Samir Mammadov 26-13 in the other semi-final.

Thai welterweight Manon Boonjumnong also made his mark as he survived a tough battle against Hanati Silamu, also in the semi-final round.

Manon narrowly beat the Chinese rival 23-20 to take on American Demetrius Andrade in the final. The two-time US champion Andrade, 19, defeated Turkish Adem Kilici 22-6.

Light flyweight Amnat Ruanroeng went down to Doha Asian Games winner Harry Tanamor from the Philippines 8-16 in the all-Southeast Asian affair. However, despite the loss, Amnat picked up a bronze medal.

Among 11 finals today, Russia have a majority of six boxers, while Italy field three and the United States, Ukraine and Thailand have two apiece.

 The Nation