The consecutive victories of Mark Ashley Fajardo and Ronald Chavez Jr. on March 5 at the E-Work Arena in Busto Arsizio, Italy, added to the success of the Filipino boxing team.

Nineteen-year-old Fajardo knocked out Portuguese boxer Albertino Monteiro in the third round of the 63.5 kg light welterweight category. Meanwhile, Ronald Chavez Jr. secured a win via split decision against Bruno De Barros Fernandez from Cabo Verde.

Rogen Ladon earlier clinched a victory through a split decision against Federico Emilio Serra of Italy on Sunday, March 3. This was followed by another win on March 6 in the Round of 32 preliminaries via knockout against Said Mortaji from the Marshall Islands. John Noble Marvin also emerged victorious, knocking down Iranian boxer Pouria Amiri in the second round via knockout (RSC) in the men’s 92 kg division.

In the opening round of the women’s 57-kilogram division, Tokyo Olympics 2020 silver medalist Nesthy Petecio immediately defeated Serbian boxer Andela Brankovic during the 1st World Boxing Qualifying Tournament on March 3.

However, Riza Pasuit and Hergie Bacyadan were not able to qualify for the Paris Olympics. But other Filipino boxers, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam in the men’s 57 kg division, Aira Villegas, and Claudine Veloso, are set to compete in the following days in various weight categories until March 11.

Only 49 semifinalists will advance to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, with a total of 248 boxers, including 124 female and 124 male boxers, competing. The boxing competitions will take place from July 27 to August 10 at the Roland-Garros Stadium and North Paris Arena.