Paris Olympics: Aira Villegas sends opponent home, enters Round of 16

AIRA Villegas kicked off the Philippines’ boxing campaign with a statement win, defeating her Moroccan opponent in the 50kg women’s class by unanimous decision at the 2024 Paris Olympics’ North Paris Arena.

The Filipina boxer was able to overcome a tense position, despite the savage Yasmine Mouttaki’s all-out assault on her in the Round of 32 early Monday morning (PH time).

Photo Courtesy: Agence France-Presse (AFP)

The first two rounds were divided, as Villegas struggled to counter Mouttaki’s strong punches in the second round. Relying on her advantage, the Filipina southpaw returned to using her range.

Before ending the third round, the 27-year-old made sure to leave a parting message to her opponent and all the boxing fans who were rooting for her, by finishing with a stinging left to the Moroccan’s chin. 

The match was so close but Villegas remained collected throughout to turn it around and win by a slim margin on the five judges’ score cards, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28.

Who’s next?

More than the challenging win, it should be noted that although this was the Tacloban native’s first trip to the Olympics, she maintained a veteran-like composure. 

Mouttaki, a past 2023 World Championship bronze medalist, was unable to deter the fiery Filipina. However, Villegas will face a more difficult test in the Round of 16. 

Photo Courtesy: Agence France-Presse (AFP)

She will face Algeria’s Roumayda Boualam, the second seed, in the following round on Friday, August 2, at 2 a.m. (PH time). The 29-year-old Boualam competed in the Tokyo Olympics four years ago but lost in the first round.

Boualam was eliminated by a harder Thai challenger, Jutamas Jitpong, on a 5-0 card, who eventually eliminated Filipina boxer Irish Magno on the same card in the Round of 16. 

Nonetheless, Villegas breathed a sigh of relief following her first Summer Games victory, which will serve as a confidence boost and a much-needed impetus when she faces the avenging Boualam.

Laban, Pilipinas! Puso!

The pound-for-pound battle gets more exciting by the day, with Olympic silver and bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial set to compete on Tuesday (PH time). 

The two boxers will begin their campaigns in the women’s 57 kg and men’s 80kg classes, respectively, with the intention of bettering their prior performances at the Tokyo Olympics.