Gabuco, Petecio ready for medal quest

Former world champion Josie Gabuco and Nesthy Petecio went through a strenuous camp in preparation for the AIBA World Women’s Boxing Championships.

Gabuco, the flyweight titleholder in 2012, begins her quest to reclaim her throne on Thursday in New Delhi, India, along with featherweight Petecio, a silver medalist in the 2014 edition of the worlds in Jeju, South Korea.

The 31-year-old Gabuco of Puerto Princesa City is a strong contender for the title with her impressive credentials in the international amateur scene that included four gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.

The 26-year-old Petecio is also raring to bounce back from a medal drought in the recent Asian Games in Jakarta and has already strung up victories in five overseas tournaments early this year.

Joining the team are Irish Magno (51 kilograms), flyweight Aira Villegas and 19-year-old Carolyn Calungsod, the youngest in the group.

Magno participated in the world championships twice and this time, wants to bring home the ultimate prize.

Villegas and Calungsod are likewise to benefit from the 10-day training camp that Filipino lady boxers went through from Nov. 3 to 12, also in India.