SEA Games: Filipino boxers Bautista, Villegas falter in semis

Ian Clark Bautista slumps to the floor after losing his men’s bantamweight bout in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—A couple of Filipino boxers failed in their opening matches with Ian Clark Bautista and Aira Villegas dropping to their respective foes in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Friday at PICC Forum.

Bautista, the gold medalist in the 2015 SEA Games, lost via split decision, 3-2, to Thailand’s Chatchai Butdee in the men’s bantamweight semifinals.

In a helter skelter of a battle, the two boxers traded every imaginable blow and Bautista even scored a knockdown in the second round.

But it was Butdee who was the more aggressive fighter throughout the fight to stun the Filipino gold medalist, who is also the champion in the Feliks Stamm Boxing tournament in 2018.

Aira Villegas also loses her women’s bantamweight bout in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Earlier in the match day, Villegas also lost via split decision, 3-2, to Thailand’s Nilawan Techasuep.

Villegas and Bautista will still receive bronze medals for their efforts.