Asian Games: Aaron Bado loses to Thai foe after cut

MANILA, Philippines – Aaron Bado’s campaign for the Asian Games came to an abrupt end on Monday.

Bado lost to Thailand’s Thitisan Panmot via referee stoppage in the men’s 51kg class at the Hangzhou Gymnasium.

The fight was stopped with 16 seconds left in the second round due to a cut above Bado’s right eye, which was ruled out after a punch from Panmot, but which looked like it came from an accidental clash of heads in the replay.

Unfortunately for Bado, he became Philippine boxing’s third victim after Aira Villegas and Ireland’s Magno also got the boot in their opening fights.

But it wasn’t all losses for the country’s boxing contingent, with Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and light welterweight Mark Fajardo scoring impressive wins to kick off their medal bids.

Fajardo made his debut at the Asian Games, knocking out Bhutan’s Dorji Wangdi in the first round.

Marcial, meanwhile, outpointed Mongolia’s Dalai Gadzorig in his first fight at light heavyweight.

Carlo Paalam, who won silver at the Tokyo Games, will be in action against Jordan’s Abu Jajeh Mohammad in the Round of 32 of the men’s 57kg division on Tuesday.

His fellow Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio begins her medal quest against top seed Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei in the women’s 57kg category on Friday.