Philippines, 03 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE DEMOLITION, CUENCA WINS IBF WORLD TITLE IN MACAU


PhilBoxing.com




MACAU- Multi-division champion Nonito Donaire made a triumphant return to the Cotai Arena and sent Anthony Settoul of France to the canvas twice in the opening round.

The Filipino Flash used his left hook with lethal accuracy on his opponent's midsection. The first knockdown was a delayed reaction from a liver shot that sent Settoul on his knees. Near the end of the round, Settoul suffered another knockdown and an early end seemed imminent.

In the second, a powerful right to the head dropped Settoul for the third time. His cornermen wisely threw in the towel. Referee Atty. Danrex Tapdasan signaled the end at 1:41 of the second.

Donaire (35-3,23KO's) trained with his father , Nonito,Sr at the ALA Gym in Cebu for this bout. This marks his return to Macau after his WBA featherweight world title win against Simpiwe Vetyeka of South Africa at the same venue in May of last year. He would lose the title less than five months later to Jamaican Nicolas Walters. This is the 32 year old Donaire's second win since going back down to superbantamweight. He remains a force to be reckoned with.

CUENCA DISAPPOINTS HOME FANS

Ik Yang Lian Hui of China faltered in his bid to win the vacant IBF junior welterweight world title when he lost by unanimous decision to Cesar Cuenca of Argentina.

Yang was staggered and about to fall on his back in the opening round but was held up by the ropes. Referee Danrex Tapdasan ruled it a knockdown but Yang remained aggressive.

The southpaw Cuenca's lateral movement and surgical counters were the keys in this fight. He moved away from Yang's power right hand until he got caught in the fifth.

The knockdown scored by Yang gave the fans hope, but Cuenca continued to tag him as he tried to get in close. They traded hard shots past the halfway mark but Cuenca's boxing skills kept Yang at bay. Referee Tapdasan warned Yang for holding the back of Cuenca's head and in the final round, Yang lost a point for a takedown move on Cuenca.

The judges' scores - Ian Scott - 115-110, Ben Keilty - 117-108, Mike Fitzgerald - 116-109.

For the undercards - Ju Young Kwon and Zulpikar Maimaitiali ended in a technical draw in round one after a clash of heads opened a deep vertical cut on the inner side of Kwon's left eyebrow. Denis Shapikov beat Roy Mukhli by TKO in round three, Jose Ramirez won by TKO at the start of the 4th round against Ryusei Yoshida. Referee Sawaeng Thaweekoon stopped the bout after Yoshida was complaining of double vision on his right eye.

Rex Tso stopped Khunkiri Wor Wisaruth in the fourth round. Referee Katsuhiko Nakamura stopped the fight at the 2:55 mark with Khunkiri being battered on the ropes.

The Macau Kid, KK Ng used a series of hard uppercuts to deck Phompetch Twins Gym twice. Referee Surat Soikrachang signalled the end at 2:02 of the 4th round. Qu Peng won by unanimous verdict against Michael Van Nimwegen, Judges Samson Iu, Danrex Tapdasan and Surat Soikrachang all had it at 38-36.

This fight card was supervised by the Professional Boxing Commission (PBC) of China.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.