Jericho Acaylar started the Philippines’ campaign on a bright note after advancing to the quarterfinals of the ASBC Asian U22 Boxing Championships in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Jericho Acaylar arranges a quarterfinal match against an Indian rival in the ASBC Asian U22 Boxing Championships being held in Bangkok, Thailand. (From ASBC)

Acaylar flexed his might and blasted Khusravkhon Rakhimov of Tajikistan, 4-1, in the men’s featherweight (57kg) division to set up a meeting with India’s Asri Udin, who earned an opening-round bye.

Acaylar, who saw action in the Asian Junior Championships Fujairah 2019, scored 29-28 from judges from Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran, while losing 28-29 to a judge from Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Mervin Lucky Alcober fell short in his bid in the men’s light (60kg) class after yielding to Asian Youth Boxing Championships bronze medalist Enkhtur Tegshjargal of Mongolia, 4-1.

Alcober only got a winning score of 29-28 from an Iranian judge, while judges from Thailand and Saudi Arabia (30-27), and UAE and India (29-28) favored the Mongolian fighter.

Meanwhile, women’s action is being held at press time with Althea Shine Pores and Mariel Talandrata squaring off against their Thai and Kazakh counterparts.

Pores is battling Thipsatcha Yodwaree in the women’s minimumweight (45-48kg) while Talandrata is clashing with Moldir Toikova in the women’s light fly (48-50kg).

Mark Lester Durens, who won the bronze medal in the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Dubai two years ago, spearheads the PH team as the squad shoots for a historic first gold medal in this tilt after failing in the inaugural edition held last year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Other fighters seeing action are Aaron Judo Bado (men’s 51kg), Flint Jara (men’s 54kg) and Mark Ashley Fajardo (men’s 63.5kg).

A total of 149 boxers (95 men and 54 women) are competing in the weeklong tilt.

#asbc asian u22 boxing championships

Aaron Bado, Flint Jara advance to gold-medal round in Asian U22 boxing tilt

Aaron Bado captures gold medal in Asian U22 boxing tilt

Jericho Acaylar advances to Asian U22 quarterfinals

Two female fighters bow out in the ASBC Asian U22 Boxing Championships