QINHUANGDAO, China (AP) — Two-time world champion Sofya Ochigava of Russia and Olympic test event winner Natasha Jonas of England won their first bouts in the 132-pound class at the world women’s boxing championships on Saturday.
Ochigava scored a 19-7 win over Kiria Tapia of Puerto Rico, while Jonas beat Rebecca Price of Wales 18-8 in their first steps towards qualifying for the London Olympics.
The championships are held in 10 divisions but the focus is on three: 112-pound flyweight, 132-pound lightweight and 165-pound middleweight. They are the only three classes in the Olympic debut of women’s boxing this summer.
In the lightweight division, Quanita Lee Underwood of the United States defeated Dayana Sanchez of Argentina, 24-13. In the welterweight, Raquel Miller of the U.S. defeated Daena Stephenson of New Zealand, 20-12.
