Boxing: Suarez qualifies; Marcial falls

Charly Suarez seized a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics in emphatic fashion after scoring a a sweet technical knockout over Chinese Shan Jun in the semifinals of their lightweight division tussle of the Asia/Oceania Qualifying Tournament Thursday in China.

Suarez joined compatriot Rogen Ladon, who also advanced to the final round after winning his semifinal bout in the light flyweight division.

Suarez will face Mongolian Otgondalai Dorjnyambuu for the gold medal.

While Suarez qualified, another Filipino will have to try again to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

Eumir Felix Marcial lost to Uzbek Shakhram 27-30, 27-30, 27-30, Thursday in the Asia/Oceania Qualifying Tournament in China.

Marcial gets another crack at an Olympic berth in the battle for third place.

Mario Fernandez is the other Filipino who was relegated to the bronze medal match.