Filipino boxer Jay Bryan Baricuatro brought pride to the Philippines after clinching the silver medal in the men’s 50kg division at the World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025, held in Kazakhstan.
Baricuatro’s impressive campaign ended in the championship bout, where he fell short against hometown favorite Sanzhar Tashkenbay, who dominated the finals with a unanimous 5-0 decision. All five judges scored the bout 30-27 in favor of the Kazakh boxer, much to the delight of the local crowd in Astana.
Despite the setback in the gold medal match, Baricuatro’s road to the finals showcased his skill, grit, and determination. He opened his campaign with a commanding win over Salvatore Attrattivo of Italy in the opening round, followed by a quarterfinal victory over Jadumani Singh Mandengbam of India.
In the semifinals, Baricuatro faced Australia’s Omer Izaz and delivered a standout performance, securing a 4-1 split decision victory. The Filipino pugilist overwhelmed his taller opponent with lightning-quick flurries and sharp counterpunches, while displaying impressive defensive instincts and footwork.
Baricuatro made his presence felt early in the bout, landing a perfectly timed counter left in the second round that forced Izaz on the back foot. He continued to press the action in the final round, connecting with clean combinations to the head and body.
The judges scored the semifinal bout 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, and 28-29 in favor of Baricuatro.
