Aira Villegas showed composure and stuck to what worked for her all-game long to prevail in her Round of 32 battle against Morocco's Yasmine Mouttaki in the Paris 2024 women's 50kg bout.
Shortly after the final bell, Aira Villegas raised her both arms in celebration as if she already won her Olympic Games Paris 2024 women’s 50kg match against Yasmine Mouttaki on Monday, July 29 (Philippine time).
It turned out, she was spot on.
The 5-foot-2 Villegas outsmarted Mouttaki on the way to the victory via unanimous decision in their Round of 32 bout at the North Paris Arena.
After the two split the first two rounds, Villegas went back to fighting methodically, using range to her advantage against the feral Moroccan.
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But the match was pretty much even until the final 15 seconds when the fighter from Tacloban slid a decisive solid left to Mouttaki’s chin.
The 27-year-old Mouttaki had her moments in an otherwise messy exchange that looked more like a melee before that round.
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After struggling to close the distance in the opening frame, Mouttaki landed better punches in the second round including a right hook that visibly rattled Villegas.
But the Filipina pugilist was quick to show composure and reverted to what had worked for her early on.
It did wonders.
Now Villegas advances to the Round of 16 against Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam. The two will square off on August 2.