Philippines, 20 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


CHARLY SUAREZ SUFFERS HEARTBREAKING SPLIT DECISION LOSS TO EUROPEAN LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION JOE CORDINA


PhilBoxing.com




The Philippines lightweight hopeful, veteran Charly Suarez dropped a heartbreaking split decision loss to European champion and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Joe Cordina of Wales in a fight that probably ended the 28 year old Filipino?s career in his quest for a coveted Olympic medal of whatever hue.

Suarez started slowly in his opening bout at the Riocentro Convention Center but the Filipino who skipped participating in the colourful opening ceremonies in order to rest and study tapes of his opponent came back with a vengeance in the second round and swarmed all over Cordina to even the score at one round apiece entering the crucial third and final round.

In an action-packed toe-to-toe battle in the third and final round Cordina used his three inch height and reach advantage to good effect, staying on the outside to score on jabs and one-two combinations to oust the first of only two Filipinos who had qualified for the Rio Games.

The judges scoring raised serious questions about fairness especially after Uzbekistan judge Jasurbek Kurbanov of Uzbekistan scored all three rounds by a score of 10-9 for Cordina while the two other judges, Emre Aydin of Turkey and Hassan Moudrikah of Morocco scored round two for Suarez 10-9

The exit of the 28-year-old Suarez leaves light-flyweight Rogen Ladon as the Philippines last man standing in the passionate quest for an elusive Olympic gold medal.

The country hasn?t won an Olympic medal for the past 20 years and has hoped to end the drought in Rio.

The tough loss by Suarez capped a rather disappointing day for the 13-man Philippine contingent here, which began with the loss of Ian Lariba in women?s table tennis, followed by the elimination of swimmer Jessie Khing Lacuna in the heat of the men?s 400m freestyle.

For a while, Suarez appeared ready to end the Filipinos? series of misfortunes after offsetting a slow start with a good counter-punching style and swarming all over Cordina to take the second round and level the score, paving the way for the all-out action in the final round.

But the Briton wisely kept his distance against the Filipino by using his long arms to score on jabs and combinations.

Light flyweight Rogen Ladon who drew a bye in the opening round will face Colombia?s American qualification winner Yurbejen Hern Martinez who beat Brazil?s Patrick Lourenco, disappointing the hometown fans who had given him a suitably warm welcome.

AIBA reported that Lourenco looked to assert himself against Martinez in an energetic start but Martinez was patient as he slowly ripped through the Brazilian?s defense and won by a unanimous decision.

AIBA said Martinez ?will take great confidence into Monday?s second round clash with the Philippines Rogen Ladon who is ranked No. 5 in the light flyweight division at the Rio Olympics.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Weigh-in Results: Collazo and Valdez On Weight for Flyweight Showdown in Oceanside
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • “I feel Murat’s style is a perfect match for me.” Tony Yoka prepares for Murat Gassiev
    , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala continue her magical run by beating World No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND: JIMMY CARRUTHERS
    By Ray Dunbar, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH H2O SYLVE vs. JOJO DIAZ
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11"
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Torre to grace Gov. Oaminal Chess Festival
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • "Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.