SEIZING the moment that might not come again, Aira Villegas outboxed African champion Yasmine Moutakki for an impressive unanimous 5-0 decision in the opening round of the women’s 50kg class, giving the country’s Olympic boxing campaign a big boost at the Arenas Paris Nord early yesterday morning (Sunday night in France).
Long overshadowed by more illustrious teammates, Villegas, 28 was in her element, setting the tone from the get-go, punishing Moutakki with dazzling combinations to build up an early lead in the first two rounds.
By the time the Moroccan, a two-time African champion, regained her bearings in the third and last round, it was a little bit too late as the pride of Ormoc, Leyte refused to be flustered on the way to the win that earned her passage to the round-of-16.
All five judges saw Villegas as the clear winner, with four giving her identical scores of 29-28 while the fifth scored it 30-27.
“Sobrang fulfilling kasi mindset ko talaga kailangan kong i-panalo. Kasi nga first bout pa lang in 2023 (in the first World Olympic qualifying tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy), talo ako,” Villegas said of her rousing triumph.
“Ang sabi ko sa sarili ko makakuha lang ng clear punch, at saka boost din itong panalo sa mga susunod pang mga Pilipinong boksingerong lalaban,” added the Olympic debutante.
Looking ahead to her next fight on Thursday against Algerian No. 2 seed Roumaysah Boulam, who drew a first-round bye, Villegas said she is familiar with her next foe’s style after sparring with her at the multi-nation training camp in Saarbrucken, Germany.
“Pero iba ang sparring at sa tunay na laro kaya mas lalo pa dapat na pagbutihin ko,” Villegas said with a determined look on her face as she tackles the reigning Arab Games flyweight champion.
Scheduled to fight today is Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio, who will take on Indian Jaismine Lamboria in the first round of the women’s 57kg category.
