3 Pinoy Boxers Win in Indonesia

Indonesia (PNA) -– The ABAP national team was fortunate not to have drawn first day matches and the extra recovery day served them well as 3 of the 4 boxers who fought Tuesday scored impressive victories at the 22nd President’s Cup at the Palembang Sports City Complex here.

Under changing weather conditions in this historic city from which originated the highly influential Srivijaya Empire in the 7th to 13th centuries, welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial, bantamweight Mario Fernandez, and light welter Joel Bacho hurdled their respective assignments with aplomb.

Marcial virtually schooled his Indonesian opponent Lodwicjk Batlayery, scoring heavily with wicked lefts that had the Indon shaking his head, vainly trying to clear cobwebs. Mercifully, the referee stopped the fight after a second standing 8-count in the second round.

The Zamboangueno lad, barely 18, goes up against a tough Mongolian on Thursday.

Myanmar SEA Games gold medalist and Incheon Asian Games bronze medalist Mario Fernandez likewise made short work of Siguito Marquez of Timor Leste, stopping the latter in the second round with a cracking right cross that made the Timorese turn his back and hang on to the ropes in surender.

Bacho had to go the full three rounds for a decision win against a tough Malaysian Asian and Commonwealth Games veteran, Khir Akyazlan Azmi.

Only first timer Aldren Moreno (light flyweight), suffered a setback against the top Japanese in the division, Tsuboi Tomoya. It was a slam bang affair that had the crowd cheering as both fighters gave it their all.

“It’s Aldren’s first international exposure and he showed a lot of grit and skill. Expect him to get better as he gathers more experience. We’re very optimistic about this 18 year old”, said ABAP executive director Ed Picson, who heads the team here.

“This is part of our elimination process for the SEA Games. Earlier, we also sent a separate batch of candidates to a tough tournament in Thailand, the King’s Cup. We will conduct our final box-offs in Baguio when we get back.

Other members of the ABAP team supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) are Roldan Boncales Jr., Junel Cantancio, Nesthy Petecio, Maricris Igam, Aira Villegas, and Riza Pasuit. (PNA) LGI/JFM/PR