Jay Bryan Baricuatro bowed out via split decision, sealing the Philippines’ winless campaign in the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England, on Wednesday.
Baricuatro, the last Filipino standing, dropped a narrow 3-2 verdict against Spain’s Martin Molina in their Round-of-16 clash in the men’s 50-kilogram division.
The gritty Pinoy pug pushed Molina to the limit and showed flashes of brilliance, but three of the five judges ultimately sided with the European medalist.
With Baricuatro’s exit, the Philippines concluded its campaign without a medal in the global meet, which drew 540 boxers—men and women—from 66 national federations across 10 weight divisions.\Earlier, veteran Riza Pasuit also saw her run cut short after a 5-0 loss to Brazil’s Rebeca Santos in the women’s 60kg category. The 32-year-old had earlier scored an impressive second-round stoppage victory over Saudi Arabia’s Pagad Alnaimi in the Round of 32.
Ronald Chavez Jr. likewise reached the Last 16 after edging Ireland’s Matthew McCole, 3-2, but later faltered against French Euro Games bronze medalist Makan Traore.
Junmilardo Ogayre (men’s 60kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo (65kg), and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam (55kg) were also eliminated earlier in the tournament.
