JAKARTA—Bantam Mario Fernandez spent the night in a hospital on Saturday as doctors wanted to make sure he was all right after being knocked out cold by an Iraqi foe in the first round of his division in the 18th Asian Games at Jakarta International Expo’s Hall B.
“He’s OK, the doctors just wanted him to stay,” Philippine boxing delegation head Ed Picson said as reporters, who saw the brutality of the end of the bout that came with just 47 seconds left in the third round, inquired about the condition of the fighter touted as one of the bright medal hopes here.
Fernandez was the third to fall in the eight-strong PH Team, joining Joel Bacho, Nesthy Petecio and James Palicte.
Fernandez was leading in all the judges’ scorecards when the end came, as Jaafar Abdulridha Ali Al Sudani landed a wicked right straight smack on Fernandez’s jaw that sent the Filipino flat on his back.
Fernandez, wobbly, tried gallantly to get up but the referee stopped the contest.
The Filipino bronze medalist in the Incheon Games in 2014 was wheeled out of the ring.
Four more male boxers will be trying for better fortunes for the Philippines.