Pinoy boxers skip Olympic opening to prepare for battle

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Pinoy boxers skip Olympic opening to prepare for battle

AFP

Filipino lightweight Charly Suarez studies his British opponent Joe Cordina on YouTube as he misses the opening ceremony to get in the zone

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Pinoy boxer Charly Suarez relied on Youtube to get to know more of his opponent on opening day of the boxing competitions in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The Filipino lightweight, who’s in his first Olympics, faces Great Britain’s Joe Cordina in the preliminary round of the lightweight division at the Riocentro Convention Center here.

The match takes place at 6 pm local time, or 5 am in Manila.

Most Filipinos will still be asleep when the 27-year-old Suarez kicks off his campaign to give the Philippines its first Olympic medal in 20 years.

(READ: Lady Luck shines on, scorns Pinoy boxers in Olympic draw)

Suarez, a devote Christian who has biblical passages printed on his bandana, said he hasn’t seen the 24-year-old Cordina fight in person.

“But I’ve seen him fight on Youtube. He’s a good boxer. He fights right and left. And he’s tall,” said the confident Filipino boxer.

Cordina stands 3 inches taller than the five-foot-6 Suarez, and is also three 6 younger. He is the reigning European champion at 60 kg.

Because Suarez is not taking Cordina lightly, he decided to skip the opening ceremony, always a memorable evening of songs and dances for athletes.

Filipino light flyweight Rogen Ladon, who drew a bye in the first round and will not see action until August 8, also decided to stay give up the opening rites.

Ladon only needs to win two matches to assure himself of a bronze medal. He fights either a Brazilian or Colombian on Monday.

Suarez needs 3 wins to assure himself of a bronze.

The two boxers headed to the training venue with coach Boy Velasco as the rest of the Philippine delegation donned their native “barongs” and headed to the Maracana Stadium for the anticipated opening ceremony.

“Rest is more important to us,” said Suarez.

“The first fight in boxing is always the most important,” he said.

It’s more important than the opening ceremony. – pool report by Gilbert Cordero/Rappler.com

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