Comebacking Suarez crushes Kazakh rival

MANILA, Philippines - Charly Suarez nailed his second straight victory in as many days as he trounced local bet Jumsakbaek to roll into the next round in the fourth Kazakhstan President’s Cup boxing tournament in Almaty, Kazakhstan Wednesday.

Suarez, who beat Iraqi Ammar in his first fight since being sidelined by injuries after the World Series last year, dished out an impressive performance that drew applause even from the hometown crowd at the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports gym.

“I’m slowly getting into the groove after all those injuries that sidelined me last year. One and a half years away from the ring is too long. I’m still far from behing 100 percent but I’m working on it”, said the two-time SEA Games gold medalist in Pilipino,

But while Suarez advanced, teammate Dennis Galvan fell to a tough Mongolian rival and bowed out of the tournament.

Meanwhile, 2010 Asian Games gold medalist and first day winner Rey Saludar goes up against lanky Cuban Jorge Vivas, the American Continental champion, at resumption of action Thursday.

Vivas knocked down vaunted Thai Chatchai Butdee en route to a unanimous decision win in the first day of action.

In the light flyweight class, Rogen Ladon fights Erjan of Kazakhstan for a berth im the semifinals. Ladon drew a bye and landed a free trip to the quarterfinals. 

The week-long tournament drew 104 male boxers from 12 countries with coaches Nolito Velasco and Elmer Pamisa handling the Filipino fighters and ABAP executive director as team manager.