Josie Gabuco’s bid for a second world championship title came to a halt Tuesday night after losing in the quarterfinals of the AIBA World Women’s Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The 29-year-old fighter, who won the gold medal in the 2012 edition, yielded to a younger and quicker Wang Yuyan of China in a unanimous decision in the 45-48kg light flyweight non-Olympic weight class that sent the small Philippine contingent empty-handed in this prestigious tournament.
All three judges scored 39-37 for the 20-year-old Wang, who previously made her presence felt by stunning Russia’s national champion Ekaterina Pinigina in the first round.