Former world champion Josie Gabuco is one fight away from a fourth consecutive gold medal as the Southeast Asia Games in Singapore.
The 28-year-old boxer from the Philippines has reached the women?s light-flyweight final with a convincing victory over Singapore?s Leona Hui.
Gabuco, from the same country as former multiple-division champion Manny Pacquiao, became the first boxer from the Philippines to win a gold medal at the women?s world championships when she won a title in 2012.
On Monday, she showed her experience and brushed off Hui’s challenge to win the semifinal bout by unanimous decision.
Having won in the pinweight category at Vientiane in 2009 and Jakarta in 2011, and the light-flyweight class at Naypyidaw two years ago, Gabuco has an opportunity to claim another SEA Games gold medal when she takes on Thailand?s Chuthamat Raksat in Wednesday’s final.
It could prove to a tough test. Chuthamat won a light-flyweight bronze medal at last year?s world championships and beat Vietnam?s Le Thi Ngoc Anh by unanimous decision on Monday.
“It might be one of the biggest challenges of my career so far but I am determined to win a fourth gold medal; for my family, my coach and all of my team-mates for their tireless support for me,” said Gabuco.
For Hui, who is boxing at the SEA Games for the first time, the opportunity to take on Gabuco was an achievement in itself.
“She?s one of the boxers that I really look up to and it was a privilege and a great experience to step into the ring with her,” said the 29-year-old.
“It was exhilarating to be here and to have the home crowd cheering me on. Hopefully, it is a big step forward for women?s boxing here.”
The Philippines will be in the hunt for two more gold medals in women?s boxing on Wednesday after Irish Magno beat defending champion Sopida Saturum of Thailand in the flyweight semifinals.
Neshty Petecio, a silver medallist at the last two SEA Games, beat Indonesia?s Ester Kalayukin by unanimous decision in the bantamweight category.
Both Filipinas will take on Vietnamese opponents in their finals. Magno meets Nguyen Thi Yen and Petecio will fight Le Thi Bang.
The women?s featherweight final will be between Indonesia?s Christina Jembay and Tassamalee Thongjan. They eliminated Riza Pasuit of the Philippines and Myanmar?s Ve Ro Ni Ka.
