Chavez, Fajardo make Round of 32

Ronald Chavez Jr. and Mark Ashley Fajardo remained in the thick of the fight for slots to the 2024 Paris Olympics after scoring separate wins Wednesday to advance to the Round of 32 of the first World Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

The son of former amateur star Ronald Sr., Chavez carved out a 3-2 decision over Bruno Fernandes de Barrs of Ivory Coast in their 71-kilogram class.

Fajardo decked Albertino Monteiro of Portugal with 43 seconds remaining in the third round in their 63.5-kg duel with a right hook to get the job done. The Portuguese puncher fell flat on his back.

Referee Roberto Fernando Servide of Argentina had to stop the fight and declare Fajardo the winner.

“We all know Fajardo has that power and he was able to set up that hook for the KO,” Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo said from Italy.

“It’s a good confidence-booster for him as the competition becomes tougher in the next rounds.”

Manalo was relieved that Chavez hurdled an obstacle but swears that “he will need to put in more work for his next bout.”

Both pugs join Olympians Rogen Ladon and Nesthy Petecio in getting their first wins in the tournament.

Ladon is fighting Said Mortaji of Morocco in the second round as of press time in the men’s 51-kg along with Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75-kg), and John Marvin (men’s 92-kg), are scheduled to make their respective debut.

Only the top four boxers in each division in the men’s category will get a Paris ticket along with most of the women’s division.

The women’s 57-kg class will need boxers to make it at least the final while the 60-kg division requires a bronze medal as a minimum requirement for a Summer Games slot.

The 10–man team is aiming for berths in the French capital and join Eumir Marcial, who already punched his ticket after a silver medal finish in the men’s 80-kg division at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last September.