By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Flint Jara brushed off a bloody cut and scored a thrilling 3-2 victory over Flanuari Yerikho Daud of Indonesia to lift the spirits of Pinoy boxers who were stunned by the shocking loss of Olympian Nesthy Petecio in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Thailand.

Jara started slow and trailed in the opening round but rallied back after engaging his foe in a fierce slugfest to advance to the semifinals of the men’s 54-kilogram class.

A headbutt during an exchange in the second round left Jara with an open wound above his left eyebrow that was checked by the ring physician.

Unbothered, Jara remained on the offensive and landed booming counters during some fierce exchanges in the last two rounds.

“Sanay po akong matalo sa Round 1. That’s why tatlo po ‘yung rounds sa boxing. Sanay na po ako sa ganoong adjustment,” Jara said.

At the short end of another close fight, however, was Petecio, who absorbed a tough 3-2 loss to Indonesian Hasanah Huswatun in the women’s 63-kilogram division.

Though obviously disappointed, the Olympic veteran took the loss on the chin and respected the decision of the judges.

“Ewan ko,” she said before laughing.

“Kita naman but lagi kong nire-respeto ‘yung decision ng mga judges,” she added./ASC, WDJ