Rogen Ladon who already booked a berth to the Rio Olympics with a masterful victory over India?s shifty Devendro Singh Laisham in the semi finals, failed in his bid for a gold medal losing by a questionable split decision to Uzbekistan?s Hasanboy Dusmatov who had also denied Ladon a finals berth in the 2015 Asian Confederation Boxing Championships winning by a decision.
Ladon appeared to have done enough to win but two of the three judges thought otherwise and scored the fight for Dusmatov by a close 29-28 margin while the third judge had Ladon the winner 29-28.
Mario Fernandez who was also hoping to qualify for the Olympics by beating Kairat Yeraliev of Kazakhstan in a box-off for the bronze medal was overcome by the Kazakh fighter although the scores of 30-27 were no indication of the closeness of the contest.
Despite his swollen and aching hand, Marcial told executive director Ed Picson he is determined to fight and win and qualify for the Olympics when he clashes with tough Uzbek fighter, 22 year old Shakram Giyasov in an evening session.
Marcial said the darkening of the skin on his swollen hand was due to the raw ginger he has been rubbing on it for the past few days aside from ice and epsom salt.
Picson told The Standard that "the AIBA doctor this morning gave him the go signal to fight after he showed mobility in his hands and wrist and even punched the doctor's hand."
Picson had told Marcial he was "inclined to withdraw his name in tonight's card, but he emphatically pleaded with me to allow him to fight because "I know I can win this and qualify."
So be it.
His fight is at around 6:30 pm tonight.
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