Suarez stays alive
SAWATA, Davao del Norte native Charly Suarez more than lived up to expectations as he eked out another unanimous decision win, this time against Jumsakbaev of Kazakhstan to reach the men’s flyweight semi-finals of the 4th Kazakhstan President’s Cup international boxing tournament at the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports in Almaty Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Suarez, who is seeing action in his first international stint after an 18-month hiatus due to injuries while fighting for Italy’s Milano Thunder in the World Series of Boxing, executed superb performance “that earned applause even from the hometown crowd”, according to Ama- teur Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) executive director Ed Picson in a statement furnished to Sun.Star Davao yesterday.
Suarez also triumphed by unanimous decision over Iraq’s Ammar in the first round.
Suarez, in a Facebook conversation with this writer yesterday, said: “Victory to our Lord God who is in Heaven, panalo ako Mam. Semi-final na ako.”
In a prayer he earlier posted on Facebook Wednesday night, two-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist Suarez said: “Victory to our Lord God,who is heaven. Salamat Panginoon kong Diyos sa panalo contra Kazakhstan. Maraming salamat sa pag-iingat mo, sa laban ko kanina. Maraming salamat sa lakas, talino at bilis na ipinagkaloob niyo po sa akin, ibinabalik ko po sa inyo ang aking pagpupuri at pagpapasalamat sa makapangyarihan mong pangalan, in Jesus’ name! Amen.”
His teammate Dennis Galvan, however, lost to more experienced Mongolian Chinzorig who won via unanimous decision in their men’s welterweight clash.
Ex-Barangay Una Boxing Team of Davao del Norte mainstay Suarez, who is assured of a bronze medal, will fight Otdondalai of Mongolia today in a bid for a slot in the finals. “Magaling din ang taga Mongolia na makakalaban ko. Nakita nako ang iyah- ang dula, maayo siya (I saw w him fight and he’s good) but I trust in the Lord Almighty God who gives me strength, wisdom, power and victory for the fight.”
Another Brgy. Una product Rey Saludar, of Polomolok, South Cotabato, was set to play American Continental champion Jorge Vivas of Cuba in men’s flyweight quarter-finals as of presstime. The latter knocked down his Thai opponent Thai Chatchai Butdee for a unanimous decision victory in the opener.
Also playing as of this writing was Filipino Rogen Ladon who was pitted against Erjan of Kazakhstan in men’s light flyweight.
The four-member Team Philippines is mentored by Nolito “Boy” Velasco and Elmer Pamisa.