Aira enters round of 16
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 May 2022
Aira Villegas.
Lightflyweight (-50 kg) contender Aira Villegas barged into the Round of 16 at the IBA World Women’s Championships in Istanbul and will face Tokyo Olympic quarterfinalist Nina Radovanovic of Serbia tomorrow for a slot in the last eight. Five wins will clinch the gold in the division where 30 fighters are listed.
Villegas posted a unanimous 5-0 win over Germany’s Maxi Klotezer in the preliminaries last Thursday to mark her debut. Judges Kevin Hope of the US and Muhammad Arisa Putra Pohan of Indonesia scored it 30-25 while judges Berna Yurtsever of Turkey and Lazizi Athmen of Algeria saw it 30-27. Judge Steven Masiyambumbi of Zimbabwe had it 29-27. Radovanovic, a former IBO flyweight champion with a 14-4 pro record, outpointed Korea’s Kang Doyeon, 5-0, to advance.
ABAP president Ed Picson and secretary-general Marcus Manalo arrived in Istanbul last night to participate in the IBA Extraordinary Congress where elections are scheduled to be held. IBA president Umar Kremlev of Russia is seeking reelection under IOC fire for questionable management. The Netherlands’ Boris van der Vorst was set to challenge Kremlev but was disqualified by an “interim nomination unit” on dubious charges despite prior clearance from the IBA Disciplinary Committee. Boxing has been struck out of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and may be reinstated by IOC if IBA institutes governance reforms.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
Fri, 09 Jan 2026IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
Fri, 09 Jan 2026