Palicte prevails, Fernandez falls in Asian boxing tourney

MANILA, Philippines – Two Filipino boxers opened the Philippine campaign in the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) Elite Championships in Amman, Jordan with contrasting results as James Palicte won convincingly in his own match, while Mario Fernandez dropped a close bout on Wednesday, November 2.

Bago City’s Palicte, 28, fighting at the 63.5 kg light welterweight class, bucked a rather listless first round to take the next two rounds as he picked up the pace against Iraqi Jaafar Abdulreal Sudani, clinching the bout, 4-1.

The 29 year-old veteran Fernandez, meanwhile, lost a close 3-2 decision  to the host country’s Yousef Iashash in their 57 kg featherweight match.

The Airman from Bukidnon fought a spirited fight, connecting with some snappy combinations but had his hands full as the wily Jordanian employed some unorthodox tactics to earn the nod of the judges from Morocco, Italy and Kyrgyzstan. Those from  Bulgaria and India saw the fight in favor of Fernandez.

ABAP coaches Don Abnett, Roel Velasco, and Gerson Nietes were at ringside for both fights.

Thirteen Filipino boxers are seeing action in the tournament – seven men, six women – including Tokyo Olympians Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Irish Magno.

Reynaldo Galido and Mitchel Martinez serve as the women’s coaches, and  ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo as team manager. – Rappler.com