Negrense boxer wins bronze

By Adrian Stewart Co

Negrense boxer Ian Clark Bautista secured a bronze medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in the bantamweight division falling to Thailand’s Chatchai-decha Butdee via split decision at the Philippine International Convention Center Forum in Pasay City.
The Binalbagan native was the early aggressor and knocked down his opponent in the second round. However, a Butdee resurgence throughout the remainder of the bout earned him the win.
After Rogen Ladon and James Palicte earlier ruled the flyweight and light welterweight divisions, respectively, Bautista’s finish means all three Negrense boxers competing at this year’s games earned medals.
Earlier this year, Bautista finished with a bronze medal in the bantamweight division at the Asian Boxing Confederation Asian Boxing Championships, which took place at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Negrense boxer lost via split decision in the semifinals to Nodirjon Mirzakhmedov of Uzbekistan./ASC, WDJ