4 boxers just a win shy of Rio Games
QIAN’AN, China — Four Filipino boxers moved within a heartbeat off clinching berths to the Rio Games af- ter advancing to the semifinal roundd of the Asian- Oceanian Olympic Quali- fying event Tuesday at the Tangshann Sports Centre.
Veteran Charly Suarez shrugged d off the cold temperature that dippedd to as low as 3 degrees Celsius to hack k out a 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 over the lanky y Dheeraj of India in their lightweightt encounter.
The veteran slugger, however, willl have his hands full when he faces Chinese e Shan Jun in the semis today.
But he’s unfazed, saying his game plan is already prepared.
“I know he has the hometown crowd but I have a fight plan that I think will turn things around for me," said Suarez.
Also advancing to the next round among five Filipinos who fought in the quarters were light flyweight Rogen Ladon, welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial and bantamweight Mario Fernandez.
Not fortunate was female fighter Nesthy Petecio who suffered unanimous decision loss to five-time world champion Mery Kom Hmangte of India.
The top-seeded Ladon displayed speed and accuracy to thwart Iraq's Al-Kaabi in another unanimous decision win (30-25 in all the judges' cards)
Ladon was relentless in his attack the Iraqi was assessed 2 points deduction for ducking.
Ladon's semifinals foe is shifty Devendro Singh Laisham of India. Marcial, also ranked No. 1, had no problem disposing of Kazemza
dehposhtiri from Iran, scoring 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
In the semis, he will face Shakram Giyasov of Uzbekistan in the semis. The Uzbek powered his way to the next level against a Korean.
Fernandez likewise barged into the semifinals with a 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 decision over Alwadi of Jordan.
He has a highly regarded Thai Chatchai Butdee as his next opponent.
Being in the semifinals, Ladon, Fernandez, Suarez and Marcial are all assured of a bronze medal each, but they need to prevail to book tickets to the Rio Games.