Petecio decisions Swede in AIBA World

MANILA, Philippines - Nesthy Petecio of Davao del Sur pounded out a unanimous decision win over veteran campaigner Lianna Strandell of Sweden to kick off the Philippines’ campaign in the AIBA World Women’s Championships at the Halla Gymnasium in Jeju Island, South Korea last Sunday.

Fighting in the third match on opening day, the 23-year-old Petecio switched from her natural right-handed stance to southpaw to confuse her Swedish opponent, who touted an impressive 101 recorded bouts in her checkered boxing career.

“It was also difficult to hit her because she moved her head a lot and she kept coming forward but I just waited for the right occasion and my uppercuts and crossed found their mark,” said Petecio, who was set to take on the best Algerian boxer in their line-up, Manel Meharzi, in the second round Monday.

Also seeing action is Iloilo’s Irish Magno, who will slug it out with Italy’s Terry Gordino, a silver medalist in the 2012 World Championships in Qinhuangdao, China.

The reigning light flyweight champion Josie Gabuco, meanwhile, drew a bye and will debut Tuesday against Pin Meng Chieh of Chinese-Taipei in the event which drew 280 boxers from 67 countries.

ABAP women’s head mentor and Barcelona Olympics bronze medalist Roel Velasco and 2006 Asian Games gold medalist Violito Payla are the team’s coaches.