PH boxers bow out in 2025 World Boxing Championships

Juan Carlo Mercado

All down at once.

Filipino boxers Ronaldo Chavez Jr., Riza Pasuit and Jay Brian Baricuatro absorbed early exits in the 2025 World Boxing Championships, falling in their respective 70-kilogram, 60-kilogram and 50-kilogram divisions from September 8 to 10 in Liverpool, England.

Chavez Jr. suffered a unanimous-decision loss to French fighter Makan Traore in the men’s 70kg Round of 16 at M&S Bank Arena on September 9.

The Filipino tried to spark an early rally with crisp jabs, but the 24-year-old Traore countered effectively and controlled the bout.

Chavez found brief success with solid right hands in the second round before Traore used his reach advantage to seal the win.

Meanwhile, Pasuit dropped a 0-5 decision to Brazilian Rebeca de Lima Santos in the women’s 60kg Round of 16 on September 10.

Baricuatro, the country’s last remaining hope, lost a narrow 2-3 decision to Spain’s Martin Molina Salvador in the men’s 50kg Round of 16 on September 11.

Their exits followed those of Carlo Paalam, Junmilardo Ogayre and Mark Ashley Fajardo, leaving the Philippines without a representative in the tournament’s next stage.