Four PH boxers headed to Asian Games semis after perfect Tuesday

MANILA, Philippines – With the Philippines sputtering in other events at the Asian Games, four boxers from Team Philippines are guaranteed at least a bronze medal after a perfect three-for-three Tuesday, September 30 in the quarterfinals.

Mark Anthony Barriga, who represented the Philippines at the 2012 London Olympics, won a split decision over Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan by the scores of 29-28 his way on two cards and 29-28 for the Uzbek on the third. 

Barriga will face Jonghun Shin of South Korea on Thursday, October 2 with the winner to fight for the gold. This match may be under more intense scrutiny in the wake of two protests over controversial decisions favoring host nation South Korea.

Indian female lightweight Sarita Devi was left in tears after Park Ji-Na was named the victor in their bout, while Mongolia lodged a protest over a the verdict that saw bantamweight Tugstsogt Nyambayr lose to Ham Sang-Myeong.

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Barriga will be joined by bantamweight Mario Fernandez and middleweight Wilfredo Lopez, who both won their fights on Tuesday to enter the semis. 

Fernandez had few issues handling India’s Shiva Thapa winning on a shutout on two cards 30-27, while the third had him winning 29-28. Fernandez’s next assignment will be China’s Zhang Jiawei. 

Lopez, 29, had his most comprehensive performance of the Asiad so far, stopping Mongolia’s Shinebayar Narmandakh in the first round to burst into the semis. Lopez dropped Narmandakh with a left hook before the referees stopped the bout with 2:05 remaining in the opening stanza.

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Narmandakh had suffered a cut in his previous match and put up little resistance as Lopez’s offense rained down on him.

Lopez’s opponent on Thursday will likely be Jordan’s Odai Riyad Adel Alhindawi.

Charly Suarez qualified for the semis on Sunday night and will face Obada Mohammad Mustafa Alkasbeh of Jordan on Thursday.

Boxing has traditionally been one of the Philippines’ strongest events at the Asian Games, having won 15 golds, six silvers and 21 bronze medals since 1951. – Rappler.com