Negros Occidental-born boxers Joan Tipon and Godfrey Castro hope to continue a rich Negrense tradition today when they go up against two world-rated foes from Thailand in the semifinals of the Asian Games boxing competitions in Doha, Qatar.

Once Tipon and Castro climb the ring tonight, they will not only try to move closer to give the Philippines a coveted gold medal in the Asiad, they will also aim to emulate the achievements of Negrense prizefighters, who made their mark in the international arena in the 1990s. Bagoeños Mansueto "Mansueto" Velasco and Reynaldo Galido and Bacoleño Elias Recaido gifted the Philippines with gold medals in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan.

Two years later, Velasco settled for a silver that shined like gold in the Atlanta Olympics. Velasco's brother, Roel, won a bronze in the 1992 Barcelona Games, duplicating the feat of Candoni-born Leopoldo Serrantes in the 1988 Games in Seoul, Korea.

"It was a great and proud moment for us and Negros boxing," Onyok, who, like Castro fought in the lightflyweight category, recalls of their Asian Games victory that was greeted by cheers and praise in their home province. "I hope every Negrense prays for our boxers because they will be fighting formidable opponents from Thailand," Velasco, now a consultant for the Philippine Sports Commission, told the DAILY STAR in a telephone interview last night.

Standing in the way of the Bacolod City-born Tipon, 24, is Olympic silver medalist Woorapoj Petchoom, who won the featherweight gold medal in the 2005 Asian Games in Bacolod City.

"Tipon's opponent is very dangerous. I think he should start strong and gain the upperhand early on," Velasco, who has been following the boxing matches on television, said.

The 21-year-old Castro, meanwhile, battles veteran Suban Pannon, the same fighter who suffered a beating at the hands of Filipino internationalist Harry Tañamor during last year's SEA Games.

Castro bumped off Tañamor from a place in the RP Team and has since proven himself as a worthy replacement. Castro, the son of fish vendors in Cadiz City, has scored two victories that did not go the distance.

He stopped Malaysian Zamzai Aziz 12 seconds into the third round Monday night, before prevailing against Ali Sad Ahmri of Saudi Arabia with a 25-5 (referee-stopped-contest-outscored) win Friday night.

Tipon, one of the Philippines' brightest prospect for a gold medal, outclassed Chinese Taipei's Shih Jung Liu, 23-10, in his first match. He survived a nervy encounter with Kim Won Guk of North Korea, prevailing, 22-15.

The boxing program will start at 2 p.m. today (7 p.m. in the Philippines).

The two Negrense boxers are actually hoping to duplicate the feat of Violito Payla, who advanced to the finals of the flyweight category last night after defeating China's Bo Yang, 40-20.

The boxers have assured the Philippines of a silver, courtesy of Payla, and three bronzes, thanks to Castro, Tipon and Genebert Basadre.

Payla will fight for the gold Tuesday night against Thai Somjit Jongjohor, who has already defeated the Filipino three times.

Jongjohor also denied another Negrense pug, Warlito Parreñas, a gold medal in last year's SEA Games, by defeating the Cadiz-born boxer in the semifinals. *CPT

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