Mark Fajardo surprised by KO win in his Asian Games debut

Mark Ashley Fajardo, right, wins via first round knockout. –SEA Sports News PHOTO

HANGZHOU, China – Mark Ashley Fajardo made a smashing debut in the 19th Asian Games after scoring a first-round knockout of Bhutan’s Dorji Wangdi at the start of boxing competitions Sunday at Hangzhou gymnasium.

The young native of Cebu made it easy and quick by setting up Wangdi with a straight right, and then delivering a left to the jaw that dropped his foe to the canvas.

The Bhutan fighter tried to beat the mandatory eight count, but stood on wobbly legs, prompting the referee to stop the bout at the 2:21 mark.

It was an unexpected end to the light welterweight bout which was only Fajardo’s second international exposure.

“Nagulat ako. Hindi ko inasahan na ganun ang mangyayari,” said the soft-spoken Fajardo.

(I was shocked. I did not expect that to happen.)

The impressive win somehow made up for the loss of Aira Villegas earlier in the women’s 50 kg class.

The 28-year-old Villega lost on points to Mongolia’s Yesugen Oyuntsetseg, 3-1, to bow out of the tournament.

Olympian Irish Magno also bowed out early after a unanimous decision loss to Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova in the women’s 54kg class.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, meanwhile, begins his gold quest against Mongolia’s Dalai Ganzorig in the men’s 80kg class later at 9:15 p.m.