The two Filipina boxers secured their places in the Paris Games after emerging triumphant in their respective divisions in the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Monday, March 11 (Tuesday, March 12, Manila time).

Petecio booked a return trip to the Olympics after clinching a top-two finish in the women’s 57kg category with 4-1 split decision over Turkey’s Esra Yildiz.

A Tokyo Games silver medalist, Petecio flaunted her ring savvy as she built a 20-18 lead in four of the five judges’ scorecards following the first two rounds.

Yildiz earned the nod of all five judges in the third round, but Petecio – composed from start to finish – hardly looked threatened and won with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.

It was the only split decision victory for Petecio in the tournament after she won her first four bouts either via unanimous decision or stoppage.

Still, it was enough for the pride of Davao del Sur to reach the Olympics for the second straight edition and get a crack at completing her unfinished business after falling short of the gold in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Villegas survived Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova for a top-four finish in the women’s 50kg class via unanimous decision, 5-0, but not after a tight contest that saw three of the five judges settle for a tie, with the other two scoring in favor of the Filipina.

Villegas unanimously won the first two rounds, but she incurred a one-point penalty for holding as she left the comeback door ajar for Chukanova.

The Olympic ticket appeared to slip out of Villegas’ hands when she got knocked down in the third round after a right straight to the head from Chukanova, but the pride of Leyte brushed the fall off and finished the fight.

Villegas even got the nod of two judges in the third round as she sealed her spot for her Olympic debut, 29-27, 29-27, 28-28, 28-28, 28-28.

According to rules set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit, in the case three or more judges have even scores, they are requested to pick a winner. Villegas won the tiebreak.

Petecio and Villegas will join fellow boxer Eumir Marcial in Paris, increasing the Philippines’ athlete roster for the Olympics to six.

Also qualified for Paris are pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.

Not as fortunate as Petecio and Villegas, though, were Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, Claudine Veloso, Mark Ashley Fajardo, John Marvin, Ronald Chavez Jr., Hergie Bacyadan, and Riza Pasuit.

But they can still make the Olympics through the second World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, in May. – Rappler.com

The Tokyo Games silver medalist surrendered in the second round of his last 16 bout against Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald in the men’s 57kg on Sunday, March 10 (Monday, March 11, Manila time).

“Unfortunately, I sustained an injury in my last match that has not fully healed, and during the course of the fight, it became apparent that continuing would risk further damage,” Paalam wrote on Facebook.

“As much as it pains me to step away from the ring in this manner, my health and well-being must always come first.”

Paalam suffered the injury when he got slammed to the canvas in the third round of his split decision victory over Mexico’s Andrey Bonilla.

The pride of Bukidnon outlasted Bonilla to advance, although he looked visibly hurt after the bout.

It was a disappointing exit for Paalam considering he needed only two more wins to book a return trip to the Olympics.

But Paalam still has one shot to qualify for Paris through the second World Qualification Tournament in May in Bangkok, Thailand, where three Olympic berths are up for grabs in his division.

“Rest assured, I am focused on recovering fully so I can come back stronger and continue pursuing my passion for boxing,” Paalam said.

Filipina boxers are carrying the fight for the Philippine boxing team as Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas are both a win away from a Paris spot.

Petecio, a Tokyo Games silver medalist, battles Turkey’s Esra Yildiz in the women’s 57kg semifinals, while Villegas faces Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in the women’s 50kg quarterfinals on Monday. (UPDATE: Bound for Paris: Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas punch Olympic tickets) – Rappler.com

Petecio moved within a win of a Paris Games berth after advancing to the women’s 57kg semifinals of the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Sunday, March 10 (Monday, March 11, Manila time).

A silver medalist in the previous Tokyo Olympics, Petecio clinched a unanimous decision victory over Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands as she zeroed in on a spot in the final, which merits a prized ticket to Paris.

Behind in the scorecards after the opening salvo, Petecio, 31, banked on her experience against her 18-year-old foe to win the last two rounds and hack out identical 29-28 marks from all the five judges.

The pride of Davao del Sur has been on a roll in Busto Arsizio, winning all of her four bouts either by unanimous decision or stoppage.

Petecio battles Turkey’s Esra Yildiz in the semifinals on Monday as she looks to join Tokyo Games bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in Paris.

Meanwhile, Carlo Paalam endured a frustrating end to his campaign after surrendering to Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald in the last 16 of the men’s 57kg.

Needing two more wins to qualify for Paris, Paalam – a Tokyo Olympics silver medalist – threw in the towel with less than a minute left in the second round no thanks to an apparent shoulder injury he sustained in his last bout.

Paalam suffered the injury after he got slammed to the canvas in the third round of his split-decision win over Mexico’s Andrey Bonilla.

Although Paalam survived Bonilla, he looked in visible pain after the fight.

With Paalam bowing out, only two of the 10 boxers the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines sent to Italy remain in the running.

Aira Villegas also sees action on Monday against Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in the women’s 50kg quarterfinals as she seeks to clinch her Olympic spot, with the top four in the division qualifying for Paris. – Rappler.com

Villegas inched closer to a prized Olympic seat as she advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s 50kg division in the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Sunday, March 10.

Coming off a 3-2 split decision victory over Canada’s Mckenzie Wright, Villegas earned a unanimous decision win this time in disposing of Denmark’s Sofie Rosshaug.

The top four in the women’s 50kg will punch their tickets to Paris.

While Villegas reached the next round, Rogen Ladon got shown the door as he bowed out in the last 16 of the men’s 51kg class, leaving the Philippine boxing team with only three bets who are in contention for an Olympic slot.

Ladon, who scored a rousing knockout win over Morocco’s Said Mortaji in the round of 16, fell prey to Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald via a 4-1 split decision.

The seventh Filipino boxer to exit in Busto Arsizio, Ladon – a 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympian – can still qualify for Paris through the second World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, in May.

Still in the running for the Philippines are Tokyo Games silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, who aim to move within a win from a Paris berth.

Through to the quarterfinals, Petecio battles Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands in the women’s 57kg, while Paalam faces Shukur Ovezov of Turkmenistan in the last 16 of the mens’ 57kg later on Sunday. – Rappler.com

Petecio reached the next round alongside compatriots Carlo Paalam and Aira Villegas, who survived their respective first bouts for a perfect day for the Philippine boxing team.

Eyeing an Olympic return after bagging silver in the Tokyo Games, Petecio claimed another convincing victory as she toppled Germany’s Nancy Canan Tas, 5-0, in the women’s 57kg class.

The former world champion Petecio earned the nod of all the judges with scores of 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, winning all of her first three bouts either through stoppage or unanimous decision.

Petecio battles Maud van der Toorn of the Netherlands next on Sunday, March 10, as she looks to inch closer to a coveted Olympic berth.

Only the finalists in the women’s 57kg will book their tickets to Paris.

Another Tokyo Games silver medalist triumphed on Friday as Paalam hacked out a 3-1 split decision win over Mexico’s Andrey Bonilla in the men’s 57kg division, 29-27, 29-27, 29-27, 27-29, 28-28.

Villegas also escaped with a split decision win after nosing out Canada’s Mckenzie Wright, 3-2, in the women’s 50kg category, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29, 28-29.

Both through to the round of 16 after receiving first-round byes, Paalam and Villegas resume their campaigns on Sunday against Turkmenistan’s Shukur Ovezov and Denmark’s Sofie Rosshaug, respectively.

Also seeing action on Sunday is Rogen Ladon, who guns for a quarterfinal spot in the men’s 51kg against Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald.

Six of the 10 Filipino boxers – Riza Pasuit, Hergie Bacyadan, John Marvin, Mark Ashley Fajardo, Ronald Chavez Jr., and Claudine Veloso – sent to Italy bowed out of contention. – Rappler.com

Petecio nailed a unanimous decision victory over Romania’s Maria Claudia Nechita in the women’s 57kg class, serving as a bright spot on a rather unfortunate day for the Philippine boxing team.

Opening her campaign with a first-round stoppage of Serbia’s Andela Brankovic, Petecio floored Nechita with a vicious overhand right to the head earlier in the bout before she claimed the convincing 5-0 win.

The judges scored it 30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 29-27 in favor of Petecio.

While Petecio advanced, John Marvin, Mark Ashley Fajardo, Ronald Chavez Jr., and Claudine Veloso all suffered exits as six of the 10 boxers the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines sent to Italy got eliminated.

Coming off a rousing RSC (referee stops contest) win over Iran’s Pouria Amiri the day prior, Marvin absorbed a 3-2 split decision loss to Toga’s Kevin Kuadjovi in the men’s 92kg division.

Fajardo also got the boot via a 3-2 split decision defeat, falling prey to Colombia’s Jose Manuel Viafara Fory in the men’s 63.5kg category.

Earning the nod of two judges by scores of 30-27 and 29-28, Fajardo narrowly missed a spot in the last 16 as the Colombian scraped past the Filipino with three identical 29-28 marks.

Chavez endured a first-round RSC loss to Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash in the men’s 71kg round of 32, while Veloso dropped her opening bout in the women’s 54kg after a 5-0 loss to Japan’s Mikoto Harada.

Riza Pasuit (women’s 60kg) and Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75kg) were the Philippines’ first two casualties.

Petecio, who needs to reach the final to punch her ticket to Paris, faces Germany’s Nancy Canan Tas next on Friday, March 8, with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake.

Also set to see action on Friday are Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg) and Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg) as they kick off their respective bids.

Still in the running as well is Rogen Ladon, who battles Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald in the last 16 of the men’s 51kg on Sunday, March 10. – Rappler.com

Ladon advanced to the third round, while Marvin emerged triumphant in his opening bout as they both clinched stoppage victories on Wednesday, March 6 (Thursday, March 7, Manila time).

An Olympian in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Ladon inched closer to a coveted Paris berth following a second-round knockout of Morocco’s Said Mortaji in the men’s 51kg class.

Ladon stamped his class in the first round as evidenced by all five judges scoring in his favor before he completely dismantled his Moroccan foe, with the fight officially ending with 1:01 minute left in the second round.

Needing a top-four finish to book a return trip to the Olympics, Ladon battles Great Britain’s Kiaran MacDonald in the last 16 on Sunday, March 10.

Meanwhile, Marvin gave Iran’s Pouria Amiri the boot after an RSC (referee stops contest) victory in the men’s 92kg category.

Estonian referee Dmitri Meliss halted the bout at the start of the second round, allowing Marvin to proceed to the next phase where he will face Togo’s Kevin Kuadjovi.

The top four boxers in the men’s 92kg division will qualify for Paris.

While five of the 10 boxers the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines sent to Busto Arsizio have won, Hergie Bacyadan joined Riza Pasuit in the list of early victims as she got eliminated in the women’s 75kg class.

Bacyadan, one of the Philippines’ four gold medalists in the recent Boxam Elite Tournament in Spain, bowed to Brazil’s Viviane Pereira via a 3-2 split decision in her maiden fight.

Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg), Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg), and Claudine Veloso (women’s 54kg) open their respective campaigns on Friday, March 8. – Rappler.com

Ronald Chavez Jr. and Mark Ashley Fajardo joined Rogen Ladon and Nesthy Petecio in the second round following a pair of contrasting victories.

Fajardo punched his ticket to the second round with a bang after a third-round knockout of Portugal’s Albertino Monteiro in the men’s 63.5kg category.

Argentinian referee Roberto Fernando Servide halted the bout with 43 seconds left in the third and final round after Fajardo floored Monteiro with a well-timed right hook to the head.

Meanwhile, Chavez squeaked past Cape Verde’s Bruno Fernandes de Barros with a 3-2 split decision win in the men’s 71kg division.

Chavez escaped as three judges scored 29-28 in his favor, with the other two having it 30-27 for Fernandes de Barros.

Both Fajardo and Chavez need to reach at least the semifinals of their respective weight classes to book their tickets to Paris.

Seeing action on Wednesday are Ladon (men’s 51kg), Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75kg), and John Marvin (men’s 92kg).

Ladon battles Morroco’s Said Mortaji next in his division, where the top four boxers will advance to the Olympics.

Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg), Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg), and Claudine Veloso (women’s 54kg) will start their campaigns on Friday, March 8, after the three received first-round byes.

The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines sent 10 boxers to Busto Arsizio as the federation hopes more will join Olympic-bound Eumir Marcial. – Rappler.com

Joshua, who lost his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, has won his last three fights as the 34-year-old looks to reestablish himself as a top contender in the division.

“I believe I can knock him out,” Joshua told Sky Sports in an interview published on Monday.

“Definitely. I would love to knock him out and make a statement. Physically I feel strong, feeling good. Strong enough to get the job done and mentally I’m in a place where I’m ready for war. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

“Mentally, I don’t worry so much about my opponent and look at what my opponent can bring to me and think, ‘How can I overcome these challenges they present?’ I work really hard to up my game and look forward to showing everything I’ve worked on.”

Ngannou, 37, vacated his UFC heavyweight belt after a contract dispute with the promotion company and exited as a free agent in January last year.

He made his pro boxing debut in October against Tyson Fury, losing via split decision in the non-title fight. – Rappler.com

Nesthy Petecio and Rogen Ladon both aced their first tests as they inched closer to joining compatriot Eumir Marcial, who is so far the only Filipino boxer to qualify for the Paris Games.

A silver medalist in the last Tokyo Olympics, Petecio opened her campaign in style with a first-round stoppage of Serbia’s Andela Brankovic in the women’s 57kg preliminaries.

Petecio imposed her will on Brankovic, forcing Moroccan referee Bachir Abbar to halt the fight with a minute left in the opening round.

Needing to reach the final to clinch her Paris berth, Petecio will next tangle with Romania’s Maria Claudia Nechita on Thursday, March 7.

Ladon, meanwhile, moved within three wins of an Olympic return after a 4-1 split decision victory over Italy’s Federico Emilio Serra in the men’s 51kg category.

Seeking to qualify for the Olympics since his last appearance in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Ladon earned the nod of four judges, with scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28. The other judge scored it 29-28 in favor of Serra.

Unlike Petecio who must secure a top-two finish for a spot in Paris, Ladon only has to make the semifinals.

Ladon will face Morocco’s Said Mortaji next on Wednesday, March 6.

While two of the Philippines’ 10 bets in Busto Arsizio advanced to the next round, one suffered an early exit as Riza Pasuit fell prey to Venezuela’s Krisandy Rios via unanimous decision in the women’s 60kg division.

Set to see action in the coming days are Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg), Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo (men’s 63.5kg), Claudine Veloso (women’s 54kg), Ronald Chavez Jr. (men’s 71kg), Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75kg), and John Marvin (men’s 92kg).

Ladon, Petecio, Villegas, and Bacyadan all won gold medals in their respective weight classes in the Boxam Elite Tournament in Spain in February.

The Italy tournament serves as one of the last two qualifying events for Paris, with 28 Olympic slots for men and 21 for women up for grabs in Busto Arsizio. – Rappler.com