OUR GALLANT BOXERS GO AFTER ONE MORE WIN TO CLINCH A SPOT IN THE RIO OLYMPIC GAMES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 30 Mar 2016
Our gallant team of four boxers who survived the cold temperatures that dipped to as low as 3% centigrade turned on the heat in their quarter final bouts of the Asian-Oceanian Olympic Qualifying event at the state-of-the-art Tangshan Sports Centre in this northern city 2.5 hours drive from Beijing and stood just one win away from clinching a spot in the Rio Olympic Games.
The only heartbreaking loss was the one suffered by lone female boxer Nesthy Petecio who lost to five-time world champion Mary Kom of India in which the Indian girl appeared to thrive on her reputation, to win by a unanimous decision in a controversial verdict similar to that which she received in her previous bout against Kazakhstan?s AIBA Women?s world champion Nazym Kyzaibay with two judges overcoming the 3-0 scorecard of the American judge to give Kom a split decision victory.
Women?s head coach and former Olympic medalist Roel Velasco said he honestly ?thought Nesthy had her. She delivered clear blows and out-boxed Kom. We were surprised with the decision."
For her part, Petecio remarked "She hardly touched me. And I could hear her grunt and groan every time I hit her. Many times. I hope I have another chance at her. I promise you it will be much different."
However, in contrast the Indian media reported that Mary Kom who also won a bronze medal in the Olympics put up a dominating show to beat Petecio 3-0 but is expected to have a hard time against old foe and hometown girl Ren Cancan of China in the semis.
The three-time world champion Cancan had beaten Mary in the semi finals of the 2010 Asian Games in China.
Leading the Filipinos charge in the quarter finals was team captain Charly Suarez, the veteran 27 year old who decisively beat India?s tall, lanky and awkward military champion Dheeraj Rai by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 once.
Suarez who is a skilful boxer with hand-speed and punching power will face China's Shan Jun in the semifinal round Thursday.
ABAP Executive director Ed Picson told The Standard that Suarez is aware that the 21 year old Shan Jun ?has the hometown crowd but I have a fight plan that I think will turn things around for me."
Number one seed Rogen Ladon displayed speed and accuracy to thwart Iraq's Al-Kaabi in another unanimous decision win, 30-25 in all the judges' cards, with the Iraqi deducted 2 points for ducking. Ladon's semifinal foe will be 24 year old shifty Devendro Singh Laisham of india.
Welterweight punching machine Eumir Felix Marcial, also ranked number one in the tournament had no problem disposing of Kazemzadehposhtiri from Iran with all three judges having the tough and solidly built Filipino from Zamboanga winning handily
30-27 (twice) and 29-28.
Marcial goes up against 22 year old Shakram Giyasov of Uzbekistan in the semis. The Uzbek powered his way to the clash with the fancied Filipino after beating his Korean opponent in the quarter finals. Giyasov won the gold medal at the 2015 Asian Amateur Boxing Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mario Fernandez likewise barged into the semifinals with a 30-27, 30-27 & 29-28 decision over Alwadi of Jordan who was not in the same class as the Filipino who is likely to have a tough time against highly regarded Chatchai Butdee of Thailand in the semi finals.
Ranked No. 7 Butdee won the bantamweight gold medal in Laos in 2009 and the SEA Games gold in Palembeng, Indonesia in 2011. In the 2012 London Olympics Butdee won his first fight against Selcuk EBker of Turkey before losing in the second round to eventual gold medalist Robeisy Ramorez of Cuba.
ABAP president Ricky Vargas who has been closely monitoring the events from the United States via text and email, told Picson, "Please tell our boxers I am encouraged by their performance. I continue to pray hard for their success. I will have a nice surprise for those who qualify when I see them back in the Philippines."
Being in the semifinals, Ladon, Fernandez, Suarez and Marcial are all assured of a bronze medal each. However, Picson told us "A bronze medal is fine. But our boxers pledge to go hard to get that slot for Rio. There are no two ways about it."
When we had the results announced during the ?Flash? Elorde Annual Awards on Tuesday night at the Sofitel Hotel, the crowd greeted the news with a round of applause and were led in the cheering by World Boxing Council president and special guest Mauricio Sulaiman and WBO Asia Pacific head Leon Panoncillo.
The coaches in China are Nolito and Roel Velasco and 3-time Olympian Romeo Brin.
Other Filipinos in the tournament that drew 274 boxers from 41 countries are Karina Picson, appointed by AIBA as Deputy Supervisor and AIBA 3-star referee-judge Maximo Abalos.
Photo: At the mess hall after training & breakfast Wednesday. From left, coach Boy Velasco, flyweight Rogen Ladon, lightweight Charly Suarez, welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial & bantamweight Mario Fernandez.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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