RIO DE JANEIRO – Charly Suarez gets his campaign going against a British opponent even as Rogen Ladon gets a bye on opening day in the XXXI Olympiad here.
The 27-year-old Suarez takes on Joseph Cordina of Great Britain in his debut on Saturday (early Sunday, Manila time) in the men’s 60 kg. class.
He will either face Hurshid Tojibaev of Uzbekistan or Qatar’s Hakan Eresker in the second round on August 9 if and when he gets past the British boxer.
A total of 28 boxers will be fighting in the bantamweight division.
Head coach Boy Velasco appeared to be satisfied with the way the draw went for the two-man boxing team, stressing all the boxers seeing action here all went through the qualifiers.
“Wala namang luck of the draw. Lahat ng makakalaban natin dito halos dumaan sa qualifiers,” he said after the drawing of lots held Thursday night (early Friday morning, Manila time).
“Minsan magandan na yung maka-enkuwentro mo agad yung magagaling para pag nalusutan mo, mas magaan na yung susunod.”
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Ladon advanced outright to the second round after he drew a first-day bye in the 49 kg. class.
Ladon will await the winner of the clash between Colombia’s Samuel Carmona Heredia and local bet Patrick Lourenco for his second round opponent. A win by the Filipino against either one of them would already qualify him in the quarterfinals.