| |
|
Aira lone rep in world tilt
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 May 2022
Aira Villegas.
Aira Villegas will be the only Philippine entry in the IBA World Women’s Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 6-21 as the tournament is in conflict with the Hanoi SEA Games on May 12-23 but ABAP president Ed Picson said yesterday she’s in good hands under coaches Pat Gaspi and Rey Galido.
Villegas, a southpaw from Tacloban, recently took silver at the Thailand Open and will fly to Istanbul with Galido from the Philippine team’s Thai training camp in Muak Lek tomorrow. Gaspi will join them from Manila. Picson and ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo will also leave for Istanbul to attend the IBA Electoral Congress on May 13-14. The Congress is critical as IBA president Umar Kremlev, a Russian, seeks reelection in the wake of IOC’s call to disallow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.
Villegas, 27, failed to land a podium finish in two previous world championships as a bantamweight (54 kg). IBA has since reclassified weight limits so that in Istanbul, Villegas is in the 50 kg lightflyweight class and there will be 12 divisions. At the Hanoi SEA Games, women's boxing will feature six categories----lightflyweight (48 kg), flyweight (51 kg), featherweight (57 kg), lightweight (60 kg), welterweight (69 kg) and middleweight (75 kg). Under SEA Games boxing rules, a country may join up to six of seven men’s divisions and five of six women’s classes. The Philippines’ women boxers in Hanoi will be lightflyweight Josie Gabuco, flyweight Irish Magno, featherweight Riza Pasuit, lightweight Nesthy Petecio and middleweight Hergie Bacyadan.
ABAP head coach Don Abnett singled out Bacyadan as a possible surprise medalist in her SEA Games debut. Gabuco, 35, is gunning for her sixth SEA Games gold medal. A single mom, Gabuco is dedicating her quest to 15-year-old son Mack Joseph. She was a 2012 world champion and 2019 Asian titlist but has never competed in the Olympics where there is no lightflyweight division.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Jonny Mansour Takes on William King as One Half of a Double Main Event at Frontwave Arena’s SD Fight Night: Family Business on Saturday, April 18, 2026
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Rising Contender Jalen “Skywalker” Walker Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
