The Philippine boxing contingent in the 2018 Asian Games is down to five as another one fell in his first match at Hall C of the Jakarta International Expo.
After twin losses from Joel Bacho and Nesthy Petecio in the opening day of boxing competitions, the squad pinned their hopes on veteran and 2014 Asian Games bronze medalist Mario Fernandez to break the slump and get them into a groove.
However, it all fell apart in the third round when a right straight from Iraqi boxer Jaafar Abdulridha Ali Al Sudani landed flush on the side of Fernandez' face, sending him down for the count. The gallant boxer tried to sit up but it was clear that he was on condition to do so prompting the referee to call the attention of the medical staff at the venue.
Fernandez was stretchered out of the ring, receiving a smattering of applause on his way out.
What made the loss tougher to accept was that Fernandez was up 20-18 in three of the scorecards, which meant that even if he lost the third, he would still be declared the victor via decision.
"He's a very good boxer but I gave him a hard punch to finish the fight in the third round," said Al Sudani after the match-up as he will now progress to the Round of 16.
Fernandez used his superior boxing skills to stay away from trouble in the first round. He casually evaded the power punches of Al Sudani while landing crisp one-twos of his own. He also fought well in the second but the Iraqi was able to land a couple of strong ones, prompting the other Filipino boxers to remind Fernandez to keep his hands up. Perhaps wanting to make sure there would be no doubt that he's the winner of the fight after a so-so second round, the veteran boxer wanted to land heavy leather in the final round. He was loading up with a left hook when Al Sudani countered with a quick one-two to abruptly finish the fight.
Because the action was so quick, even the Filipino fighters were confused about the ending. Some thought it was a headbutt that knocked Fernandez out cold as there were no replays available inside the venue. The referee had no doubt about what he was as Al Sudani was deemed the victor via knockout.
With three boxers down in the first two days of boxing competitions, three more will try to end the skid tomorrow. 2016 Rio Olympian Rogen Ladon debuts in the Round of 16 in the men's flyweight category against Kim Iknyu of Korea, James Palicte will start his campaign in the lightweight category against Abdurasulov Shunkor of Uzbekistan, and Irish Magno goes up against Pang Chol Mi of Korea in the flyweight division.