Veteran Mario Fernandez opened the Philippine campaign in the ASBC Asian Elite Championships on a sad note as he bowed in a close 3-2 decision to host Jordan’s Yousef Iashash in their featherweight match (57 kg) on Day2 (Wednesday) of the Asian Elite Championships currently being held in the capital city of Amman.
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 ad Gerson Nietes were at ringside.
There are 13 Filipino boxers in the championships (7 men, 6 women), including Tokyo Olympics veterans Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Irish Magno.
James Palicte is scheduled to face an opponent from Iraq in the Philippines’ next fight.