MANILA, Philippines -- Three Kenyans won their semifinal matches Thursday to join nine other finalists in the first President Ferdinand E. Marcos Cup International Amateur Boxing Championship.
The finals of the 22-nation tournament will be held Saturday after a break Friday.
Two of Kenya's semifinal victories came at the expense of the United States.
Isayah Ikhoni edged Tommy Ayers 3-2 in the lightweight division and his teammate, Ali Athuman, similarly outpointed Hughes Henry in the light welterweight contest.
Ikhoni will meet Lee Hyun-ju of South Korea, who stopped Jalberg Francois of New Caledonia in 2:29 of the second round.
Athuman will vie for the gold against another Korean, Kim Dong-kil, who decisioned Sjansul Anwar Harahap of Indonesia 5-0 Friday.
Philippines, which fielded four teams, is assured of two gold medals. The finals of the pinweight and light flyweight divisions are all-Filipino affairs.
In the welterweight class, Kamau Wantuike Peter of Kenya outpointed Genaro Leon Quintero of Mexico to set a final match with Terry Marsha of England, who stopped Filipino Juanito Pedroso in 2:12 of the second round.
