Petecio whips Ukrainian, nears World medal round

MANILA, Philippines - Featherweight Nesthy Petecio pounded her way to a third straight victory, beating Maryna Malovana of Ukraine to move within a win from reaching the medal round in the World Women’s Boxing Championships in Jeju City, South Korea last Thursday.

Petecio, 22, came through with counter combinations to hold off a charging Malovana and went on to fashion out a unanimous decision victory with all three judges scoring similar 40-36 cards after four rounds.

The Davao del Sur was the lone Filipina standing in the tough event after Josie Gabuco and Irish Magno dropped their respective matches early in the week. 

Petecio faces lanky Lu Qiong of China next, needing another victory to land in the medal rounds. Six wins are needed to win the gold in the event, which drew 280 boxers from 67 countries.