Petecio repels Algerian, advances to third round

MANILA, Philippines - Featherweight Nesthy Petecio put away Algerian’s top bet Manel Meharzi’s challenge with another solid performance as the Filipina fighter rolled into the third round in the AIBA World Women’s Championships at the Halla Gymnasium in Jeju Island, South Korea Monday.

The power-hitting Petecio repeatedly connected on combinations that rocked Meharzi’s head before finishing off her rival with three-shot combinations in the third round punctuated with wicked rights. That prompted the Russian referee to give the Algerian two standing 8-counts.

The judges scorecards saw it as a run-away win for the Davao del Sur native with lopsided scores of 40-35, 40-34 and 40-35 as Petecio advanced in the 57-kg category.

But flyweight Irish Magno fell short of her upset bid against 2012 World Championships silver medalist Terry Gordini of Italy, who dominated the Filipino bet with 40-36 scores on all cards in their 51-kg clash in the event which drew 280 boxers from 67 countries.

Current world light flyweight champion Josie Gabuco, meanwhile, debuts against Chinese-Taipei’s Pin Meng-Chieh Tuesday.