Nesthy lifts boxers’ morale

Her training may be limited, but Nesthy Petecio still flaunted her deadly form in crushing Marcelat Sakobi Matshu of Congo in the women’s featherweight class of the Tokyo Olympics Saturday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo.

The 29-year-old world champion was at her best, prompting four judges to give her a 30-27 win while another official saw it 29-28 that allowed her to secure the unanimous decision win and breeze through the second round of this prestigious event.

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines president Ricky Vargas couldn’t help but be proud.

After all, Petecio and other boxers suffered a long lull in their training due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

With that, the federation sent the elite boxers to Thailand last March, a very late attempt to catch up on its buildup for the Summer Games.

Great confidence-boosting win. She fought intelligently.

Vargas said Petecio’s win didn’t only send her to the next round, but also gave her and other boxers the momentum in their Olympic campaign.

“Great confidence-boosting win. She fought intelligently,” Vargas told Daily Tribune.

After starting with a slow, defensive pace in the opening round, Petecio caught fire and displayed superb technique to land a handful of clean shots on the head of her taller African foe.

Then, Petecio shifted to a higher gear as she displayed explosiveness and solid one-two combinations that ultimately gave the Congolese a hard time to keep up in the succeeding rounds.

With the win, Petecio booked a duel with former world champion Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei in the Round of 16.

Vargas said it will be a very interesting match as Lin held the world title in 2018, a year before the Davao-born puncher claimed the crown.

“Next fight will be tougher against Chinese Taipei Lin Yu Tin,” said Vargas, adding that he is banking on a fair and transparent officiating of this event that is now being managed by the International Olympic Committee following the suspension of the International Boxing Association.