Baguio lass takes shot at WBO champ

MANILA, Philippines - Jujeath Nagaowa shifts back to boxing as she competes for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) female atomweight title against reigning champion Nao Ikeyama of Japan this weekend in Colombia, Sri Lanka.

The 28-year-old native of Baguio City, Benguet admitted her lack of fight as a mixed martial artist forced her to return to boxing, where she once reigned as atomweight champion of the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Nagaowa is currently signed with ONE Championship.

“I’m still waiting for ONE (FC)’s offer,” said Nagaowa, who swept her first two bouts under ONE Championship, the last one in December last year.

“I had a good start and my priority was really the MMA,” said Nagaowa in Filipino. 

But with no call coming her way, Nagaowa had to take up boxing again starting February this year.

Nagaowa said she thought her stint as a boxer is over since she lost her last four fights, including one against Yu Jue Luo of China last June in Macao.

That was until the title shot against Ikeyama came along.

Still, her dream of fighting in the octagon remains.

“Fighting as an MMA is really my dream,” Nagaowa said.