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:
Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Dec 2025