Joven, one of four veterans in the six-man Team Philippines sent to this world ranking tournament by the First Gentleman Foundation with support from the Philippine Sports Commission and Pacific Heights, scored an RSC-OS (referee stopped contest-outscored) victory over Yang Ju Jing of Taiwan in the fourth round of their middleweight duel.

Joven dictated the tempo of the bout from the opening bell and was declared a 24-4 winner 1:19 into the fourth and final round to claim a Last 8 berth and join light flyweight Harry Tanamor, flyweight Violito Payla, lightweight Anthony Marcial and light welterweight Florencio Marcial in the medal bouts.

"Francis showed his teammates that experience really gives result. He used his experience to intimidate his opponent and this made the Taiwanese backpedal every time he launched his attack," assessed Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Manny Lopez, in Bangkok on an invitation in his capacity as secretary-general of the Federation of Asian Amateur Boxing (FAAB).

Joven goes for a semifinals berth and an automatic bronze medal on Saturday when he tangles with crafty Armpon Heangom of Thailand.

Saturday’s card will also see the debut of Marcial in an international meet and the resumption of Tanamor’s bid for a successful comeback after a seven-month rest following his debacle in the Athens Olympics.

Marcial fights veteran Chung Chun An of Taiwan while Tanamor, who stopped So Sok of North Korea in his first bout, tangles with of Muanton Budee of Thailand team B. Payla and Ferrer go for semifinals berths on Sunday.