VIENTIANE – Asian Games champion Joan Tipon battles Chatchai Buddee of Thailand Friday at the start of the boxing competition in the 25th Southeast Asian Games at the Booyong gym inside the National University.

Two other fighters see action – featherweight Charly Suarez and pinweight Bill Vicera.

Suarez takes on East Timor’s Otnel Negrito Manuel Batisia while Vicera opens his bid against Malaysian Muhamad Fuad Mohd.

Three Filipinos – light flyweight Harry Tañamor, flyweight Rey Saludar and light welterweight Joegin Ladon – have been assured of the bronze medals.

RP coach Pat Gaspi said that except for Tipon, the boxers got a favorable draw.

Tipon is aching to avenge his loss to Chatchai during their last meeting last April in the King’s Cup in Thailand.

The Philippines is entered in six men’s and four women’s divisions.

On Thursday, the AIBA, the world governing body for boxing, gave its approval to hold the pinweight division in the 25th Southeast Asian Games.

That paved the way for Bill Vicera, an eight-year veteran, to make his second stint in the Games after settling for the silver medal in Thailand two years ago.

“Siyempre masaya po tayo dahil matagal din po akong naghanda,” said the 27-year-old boxer from Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Vicera, who normally weighs 50 kilos, had to trim down to 45 kilos in two months to prepare for the Games.

He tipped the scales at 45 kilos Thursday

The Philippines is hoping to bounce back from a disastrous campaign two years ago in Thailand where it garnered one gold, 12 silvers and two bronzes.

Thailand remains the biggest stumbling block for the Filipinos’ bid to regain the boxing crown.

The two-long time rivals will face off in five men and three women divisions.

RP women’s coach Roel Velasco believes that the women’s squad could outperform the men, picking bantamweight Annie Albania, lightweight Mitchell Martinez and light flyweight Josie Gabuco as possible gold medalists.

Two years ago, Albania won the gold while Martinez settled for the silver. Gabuco, a brand-new mother then, lost in the quarterfinals. (Tempo Sports)