There won't be any boxer from Negros Occidental in the Beijing Olympics in August.

Cadiz City's Godfrey Castro fell to Kumar Jintender of India and yielded the last spot for Asia in the flyweight division in the final Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Unable to recover from his shocking loss to an Uzbek fighter Saturday, Castro was easy prey for the foxy Indian, who hacked out a 13-6 decision in the box-off for the final Olympic berth.

"Sorry po talaga. Talaga po siguro na sinadyang hanggang bronze lang ako (I'm sorry. Maybe it was really meant that I only finish with a bronze medal)," Castro said.

RP coach Pat Gaspi conceded defeat, saying the Indian controlled the bout right in the first round. Gaspi said Castro tried his best to chase the Indian but ran out of steam in the end.

"He gave his best but it was clear he got affected by that loss to the Uzbek fighter," Gaspi said.

The coach was referring to his loss to Uzbekistan's G. Doniyarov, who was awarded a 25-23 decision, a verdict that was tainted by controversy, according to the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines.

"Talagang talo po ako ngayon, pero dapat ay nanalo na ako kahapon (I really lost to the Indian but I should have won last Saturday)," Castro said.        

The heartbreaking end to Castro's chase for an Olympic berth and the first-round exit of Joan Tipon in the same tournament also meant that there won't be any Negrense boxer for the second straight Olympics.

Larry Semillano of Bago City was the last Negros boxer who saw action in the Olympics. He competed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Interestingly, Negrense boxers delivered the last three Olympic medals, starting with Leopoldo Serrantes' bronze in Seoul, Korea in 1988. Four years later, it was Roel Velasco's turn to wound up with a bronze in Barcelona.

In 1996, Roel's younger brother, Mansueto, a quick-moving, fast-punching phenom, looked to have given the Philippines its first Olympic gold but the judges thought otherwise, awarding a surprisingly lopsided decision to Bulgaria's Daniel Bujilov.

The latest debacle has prompted ABAP president Manny Lopez to declare that the association will institute reforms. 

"It is a very sad day for RP boxing. The ABAP would like to apologize to the Filipino people for the dismal performance of the team," Lopez said. "The ABAP realizes its misgivings and will institute reforms in the association".

"The boys did their best and everyone here in the tournament witnessed their good performance. But still, their effort proved not enough," Lopez added.

Harry Tanamor will be the lone Filipino fighter in the Beijing Games. He qualified, after finishing with a silver medal in the World Championships in Chicago last year.

Lopez vowed that the ABAP will work doubly hard in training Tanamor, who also saw action in the Athens and Sydney Games.*CPT

back to top

No Negrense boxer in Beijing Games
P.4M in incentives for athletes, coaches