One missed Olympic berth, another failed for Philippines boxers

It was again a dismal performance for the Philippine boxing contingent in the AIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Kazakhstan this week. Philippines amateur lightweight boxer Genebert Basadre bowed to his Kazakh opponent Merey Akshalov that outscored him in their fight. The officiating referee stopped the fight as per amateur rules.

In the other and rather more controversial face off between Philippine flyweight Godfrey Castro against Uzbekistan's G. Donirayov, Castro failed to qualify outright because all five judges refused to grant him the points he needed to clinch the Olympic berth for Beijing this year. He gets another chance on his next bout against Indian opponent Kumar Jintender.

The Philippine contingent also complained of the fact that an English referee who they requested to be recused on Basadre's fight, was instead installed as the match judge for the same fight. They, however, will not pursue a formal protest.