In an unexpected development, local boxer Kenny Lally's first opponent at an Olympic qualifying tournament in Brazil didn't show up for their scheduled bout on Monday.
Lally, a 22-year-old from the Inner City Boxing Club, was supposed to fight Uruguay's Ruben Casero but Casero was a no-show. Lally waited alone in the ring for three minutes and officials then awarded the decision to him.
Bob Pegues, Lally's coach at Inner City, said the free pass through the first round should benefit Lally, who is entered in the flyweight or 52-kilogram class.
"We thought it would have been one of his easier matches," Pegues said. "When he phoned me after he got out of the ring, he said, 'Man, I was so ready, it's really frustrating.' I told him to think about it like this: 'You came out of it with no injury, no wear and tear and it's a long tournament.'"
Lally is now just two wins away from advancing to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Two victories would put him into the championship bout, and the top two boxers will qualify for the Games.
Lally's next opponent is Puerto Rico's Jeyvier Cintron, who defeated Amrit Herrera of Panama on Monday. Lally is familiar with Cintron and likes his chances of victory when they trade punches in a quarterfinal tilt on Wednesday.
"Kenny fought him a month ago and lost a split decision, in Puerto Rico with five Puerto Rican judges, and he told me he won that fight really easily," Pegues said. "So he's not worried about this one. In fact, he's really looking forward to it."
If Lally beats Cintron, he will box in the semifinals on Friday. The tournament champion will be decided on Sunday.
The Olympic qualifier is being held in Rio de Janeiro.
