Pinays cited for wrong reasons
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 10 Jan 2025
Aira Villegas (L) and Nesthy Petecio (R).
Paris Olympic bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas were cited in a recap of the women’s boxing event in last year’s Summer Games but for the wrong reasons. Petecio was recognized for battling Julia Szeremeta of Poland in a rousing climax of their featherweight semifinal bout only she lost via a 4-1 decision. The third frame was named the Best Round of women’s boxing in Paris by the London weekly publication Boxing News. Villegas, on the other hand, was noted for taking the Best Punch of the women’s competition from Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Turkey, a picture-perfect right uppercut that found her chin and drew a collective roar from the crowd in the venue.
Petecio and Villegas joined gymnast Carlos Yulo as the Philippines’ only podium placers in Paris. While they deserved credit for their efforts, the “dark” consolation was both fighters were singled out for contributing to the moments of their opponents’ glory. At least, they were noticed.
Here’s the account of the Best Round: “Notes about Szeremeta read ‘flashy,’ ‘patient’ and ‘punch-picker’ until the third round. With a place in the final at stake, she reinvented herself as an all-action, front-foot fighter. Szeremeta recovered from losing the opening round on all five scorecards to set up a decider and then, stood toe-to-toe with the heavy-handed Filipino southpaw, out-brawled her, forced her to give ground and won the round on all five cards.” Boxing News called it “one of the best women’s bouts of Paris 2024 (as Szeremeta) ditched her flashy punch-picking style to tie the bout on four cards going into the last and then edged the exchanges in a thrilling final three minutes to win it in what was a fair upset.”
Szeremeta, 12 years younger, scored an unexpected reversal over Petecio who bagged a silver in the previous Olympics. Petecio, 32, had won three straight bouts before running into the Polish fighter, defeating India’s Jaismine Lamboria (5-0), France’s Amina Zidani (4-1) and China’s Xu Zichun (5-0).
In Villegas’ case, she was totally overwhelmed by Cakiroglu and took a standing eight-count in the first round. Here’s the account of the Best Punch: “Behind on the cards, Villegas went for Cakiroglu at the start of the third. The Turkish southpaw tightened her defenses and waited. When the opening was there, she placed a right hook behind Villegas’ elbow that set up her next punch, a scorching right uppercut that landed under the Filipino’s chin. The punch sent a chorus of “ooooohs” around Roland Garros Stadium.”
Villegas, making her Olympic debut, advanced to the semis after beating Morocco’s Yasmine Moutaqui (5-0), Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam (5-0) and France’s Wassila Lkhadiri (3-2).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
5 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Thu, 03 Apr 2025IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
Thu, 03 Apr 2025TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Thu, 03 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
By Eric Armit, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Melvin the Avenger
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 02 Apr 2025WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Wed, 02 Apr 2025