Philippines, 20 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


?WHO?S NEXT?? 5: PAYAO EDGES YU


PhilBoxing.com




MANDAUE CITY, CEBU ? It was a long but exciting night of boxing at the Mandaue City Sports Complex. The main event proved to be a tactical cliffhanger. Jhaleel ?Iron Chin? Payao of the Omega gym and Raul ?Vulcan? Yu of the ALA gym fought till the final bell and one knockdown became the deciding factor.

Both boxers spent the opening round probing but it was Yu?s counter left hook against the southpaw Payao that was the highlight of the round. Payao opened up in the second to try and make it into a slugfest.

A clash of heads opened small cuts on both fighters but this did not slow down the action. Yu had the edge in accuracy when he fought from a distance while Payao?s game plan was to cut off the ring and relase his bombs.

But in the fourth Yu got careless and Payao caught him with a looping left hook. Yu went down but managed to survive the round and came back for more in the fifth stunning Payao on a few occasions. Back and forth exchanges followed and Payao had the edge in power in close quarter exchanges. The rounds were close in the endgame but Payao came up with a strong tenth round.

The scores ? Edward Ligas ? 95-94, Edgar Olalo ? 96-93,Nic Banal ? 96-93 all for Payao.

Payao keeps his PBF bantamweight belt. This bout was the main event of the fifth offering of the WHO?S NEXT? Pro boxing series billed as ?Civil War?.

In the main undercard bout, Jason Canoy scored a lopsided unanimous decision over a durable Renerio Arizala. Canoy started strong and stunned Arizala with his uppercuts and hooks to the ribs. Arizala?s counters were too few and far in between.

Scores ? Edward Ligas and Noel Flores ? 100-90, Edwin Barrientos ? 97-93.

Kenny Demecillo relied on his aggressiveness and heavy hands to beat the slick Gerpaul Valero, also by unanimous decision. The scores ? Arnel Pasion ? 97-93, Noel Flores ? 100-90, Edgar Olalo ? 99-91.

Tomjune Mangubat needed only 54 seconds and a strong right hand to beat Crisanto Contemprato.

Richard Bulacan of Davao Oriental was a revelation when he beat home fighter Rimon Rama by unanimous decision. Bulacan used his length to set up his left hook and straight right. The scores ? 79-72 twice and 78-73. Rama was down in round seven.

Elias Joaquino outgunned and outlasted Jimboy Haya to earn a split decision win. Scores ? Noel Flores ? 77-75 for Haya, Arnel Pasion ? 77-75 and Edwin Barrientos- 78-74 for Joaquino.

For the rest of the undercards - Jay-ar Aliasot prevailed by unanimous decision over Ryan Bongcawil, Mark Vicelles also got a unanimous verdict over Rey Tagulaylay, Royder Lloyd Brobon stopped Jerson Bancil in three rounds, Ponciano Rimandiman knocked down John Kenan Villaflor in round two and cruised to a unanimous decision win and in the opening bout, Marjun Piencenaves beat Johnrey Espinosa by TKO in the opening round.

The bouts will be shown on Philippine television next month on PTV4.

Photo: Jhaleel Payao (L) wins over Raul Yu (R) in Mandaue, Cebu Friday.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • 3rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 75 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
    , Tue, 17 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.