CHARLY SUAREZ IS LAST BOXER STANDING IN OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Lightweight Charly Suarez is the last boxer standing in the Philippines quest for a berth in the London Olympic Games later this year after four other hopefuls including Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar were badly beaten in the Asian qualifying tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Suarez won his opening bout against tough Madadi Nagzibekov of Tajikistan by a fairly close 14-11 decision.

The flashy Filipino lost the opening round 1-2 but came back in the second which he won 4-2 to give him a narrow 5-4 edge going into the final round against Nagzibekov.

Suarez kept his composure to win the final round 9-7 to move into a showdown with Abdlay Uulu Anarbay on Monday.

Anarbay won a bronze medal in the Asian Championships last year and is expected to be a formidable opponent for Suarez.

Only the winner of the lightweight division will qualify for the Olympics while one more boxer wil be chosen by the AIBA Tripartite Selection Committee.

AIBA listed Suarez, the Southeast Asian Games gold medalist as among the contenders who include CXhina?s veteran Liu Qiang, Mongolia?s Asian Games silver medalist Enkhzorig Zorigtbataar and Tajikistan?s Asian Championships bronze medalist Nagzibekov who lost to Suarez in his opening bout.

Earlier Joegin Ladon was eliminated in the 56 kg category 13-8 by China?s Jiawei Zhang. Ladon held his own in the opening round 4-4, lost the second by a single point 3-2 but faltered in the third which he lost by a wide 6-2 margin to leave Suarez as the only fighter in the five-man Philippine team still in contention.