Gabuco, Aparri down rivals, enter quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Light flyweight Josie Gabuco and bantamweight Alice Kate Aparri beat their respective rivals to advance to the quarterfinals of the World Women’s Championships in Qinhuangdao, China Wednesday.

Gabuco put on a scintillating performance to upset the fancied Bolortuul Tumurkhuyag of Mongolia in abbreviated fashion. The Filipina fighter connected on crisp straights to the head and body, forcing her opponent to be warned repeatedly by the Croatian referee for excessive holding. 

But Tumurkhuyag kept on holding Gabuco, netting her a third warning in the third round, which resulted to an automatic disqualification. The first round ended at 6-1 for Gabuco, which took a 12-4 halfway through.

Tumurkhuyag won the gold medal in her native Ulanbaatar two months ago in the Asian Women’s Championships while Gabuco lost to Chinese Yukie Luo, who didn’t see action this week.

Aparri, on the other hand, had an even easier time as she reasserted her mastery over Nilmini Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan women’s team had a two-week training camp in Manila and Bohol early this year.

Aparri knew she had the upperhand in experience and skill, having been a bronze medallist in the World Championships twice before. She lived up to expectations, scoring a 16-8 victory.

Gabuco will face Canadian Kim Klavel for a spot in the semis while Aparri will take on Csilla Nemedi-Varga of Hungary.

The event drew 305 women boxers from 70 countries from all over the world.