|
Philippines, 24 Feb 2026 |
Home >> News |  |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
Hatice Akbas confident of second gold medal at IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships PhilBoxing.com Wed, 12 Mar 2025  Niš, Serbia – Türkiye’s Hatice Akbas looked unstoppable in her opening match at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš, Serbia, as she begins her quest for a second World title. The 23-year-old made quick work of Kyrgyzstan’s Miraiida Tashpolotova in the 54kg tournament, ending the contest via referee’s stoppage before the first three minutes could be completed. The 2022 World champion and Olympic silver medallist now meets sixth seed Moldovan Iulia Coroli, who squeezed through by a split decision against the vibrant Roman Abate of Ethiopia. ‘As a Turkish women's team, we prepared well and we are ready,’ said Akbas, who is one of many medal contenders from her country at the IBA World Championships. ‘I think I had a good contest here, I started well. I take the reward for my hard work. It was a comfortable fight for me. I want to win the gold medal again and make my country proud. I feel good. I'm sure I'll be better in the next bout.’ A furious contest in the same weight category saw Jin Paek of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea defeated Uzbekistan’s first female World medallist Aziza Yokubova by the narrowest of margins. Four judges were at a tie before the final round, and the Korean was deemed slightly more favorably, winning by a split decision. She now faces top seed and two-time African Championships gold medallist Widad Bertal from Morocco in the last 16. Also, at 54kg, Vo Thi Kim Anh from Vietnam advanced at the expense of China’s Zhao Xuan, while Karina Tazabekova from Russia ran out a unanimous winner against Islem Ferchichi from Tunisia. Zeynab Rahimova of Azerbaijan won by a fine margin over opponent from Armenia Ekaterina Sycheva, Romanian Miria Andor lost against Melani Volkova from Germany by disqualification, Asian champion Natnicha Chongprongklang of Thailand was the unanimous winner over Ireland’s Jennifer Lehane, and Angelyris Lopez Mendez from Puerto Rico defeated Kyriaki Daponte from Greece unanimously. Also claiming victory at the Čair Sports Center was two-time European champion from Russia Iuliia Chumgalakova at 48kg, winning before the conclusion of the third round against Suada Ibraimovska of North Macedonia. Chumgalakova was dangerous throughout and her opponent received a standing count at the end of the second round. With two more coming with a minute still on the clock, the referee stopped the contest, giving the Russian the win. Also at 48kg, Tayonis Cedeno Rojas from Venezuela looked in great form, emphatically beating teenager Carleigh Irving of Ireland by a unanimous decision. Elsewhere in the weight category, Zhong Xueyun of China staged a comeback to defeat Spain’s Marta Lopez del Arbol, Ingrid Gomez Galicia of Mexico caused a second-round stoppage against Greece’s Athina Avramidou, and Nursulen Yalgettekin of Türkiye won in the second round of her match against Tamana Ahmadi of Afghanistan. European champion Kristina Kuluhova looked strong today, as the Serbian defeated Hildah Kaye of Zimbabwe by referee’s stoppage in the second round of their 63kg bout. Omailyn Alcala from Venezuela defeated Greek Olga Papadatou on points with four judges too, and Latvia’s Jekaterina Sorokina won by unanimous decision against Nilufar Boboyorova from Tajikistan. Close contests were also found in Ring B. Türkiye’s Esmanur Lok squeezed past Ala Ivashkevich from Belarus and China’s Zhao Shuoyu continued in the tournament, besting Slovakian Jessica Triebelova. Both of these verdicts were decided following bout reviews. The most notable performance in the 52kg category came from Anna Aedma from Russaia who won her match by knockout against Shakhriza Khalilova of Kyrgyzstan. Aedma was ferocious in her attack, forcing the contest to finish before the end of the first round. Esmeralda Patino of Mexico survived a referee’s count to advance, beating Kazakhstan’s Anita Adisheva. The Mexican was looking strong into the third round when a series of blows called for the referee to count. She replied with great might, making sure the judges still saw her strength, holding on to the win by a close split decision. Elsewhere at this weight, Wei Sitong from China was victorious in the second round of her bout against Maia Odajiu from Moldova, winning by referee’s stoppage. Another second-round occurred across on the other ring, as Stela Roxana Hamza of Romania caused an early end to her match with Agnes Kwashi of Zimbabwe. An Iberian battle between Rita de Pinho Soares of Portugal and Spain’s Noelia Gutierrez went the way of the Spaniard, who claimed a split decision win. Chol Pang from DPR Korea was the unanimous winner over Kathreen Sterling from Haiti. World bronze medallist Sema Caliskan from Türkiye progressed to the round of 16 by defeating Darianne Hernandez Olvera from Mexico by a unanimous decision in the women’s 70kg category. This sets up a fantastic showdown with two-time World silver medallist Kaye Scott from Australia. A tremendous opening round of the 57kg tournament saw home favorite Andela Brankovic win a feisty battle with Ireland’s European bronze medallist Michaela Walsh. While Brankovic, who looked energetic across the nine minutes of boxing, won by a unanimous decision, Walsh made it close with three judges in one of the best matches of the day. Brankovic next faces Spain’s Jennifer Fernandez Romero, who won unanimously against Ainazik Rustambek Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan in a one-sided affair. Fifth seed Punrawee Ruenros from Thailand and Lacramioara Perijoc from Romania came toe-to-toe, leading to an exciting third round, where both punched right up until the bell rang for the final time. They both shared a moment of sportsmanship and raised their arms in the air, assured they had done enough – but it was Ruenros who won favor. Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova looked like a candidate for the medals after causing her match with Georgia’s Khuraman Kasumova to end after one round by referee’s stoppage. Valeria Arboleda Mendoza from Colombia claimed victory in a tight match-up against Puerto Rico’s Ashleyann Mozada, while eighth seed Cai Yan of China won in the second round against Belarus’ Maryna Muliarchyk and DPR Korea’s Hyang Suk Ku defeated Bolortuul Tumurhuyag of IBA-Mongolia by a unanimous decision. Fourth seed Mijgona Samadova won by a unanimous decision over Diana Perez Mejia of Mexico too. Diana Maestre Marquez from Venezuela was the clear victor in her match with Vietnamese seventh seed Huyen Tran Nguyen, and Brazil’s Yasmim Alves came from behind to defeat Lovelight Naledi Fusire of Zimbabwe. In the final match of the night, Aynur Mikayilova of Azerbaijan defeated Khursid Mohammadi from Afghanistan in the first round by referee’s stoppage. IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2025 is live-streamed fully on the IBA YouTube channel. All draws, schedules and results are available on IBA website. Photos can be found on IBA Flickr channel.  |
|
|
PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general. Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com |
PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
developed and maintained by dong secuya © 2026 philboxing.com. |
