Philippines, 06 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Six Pinoy pugs in line for title cracks


PhilBoxing.com




The year 2019 is ending with four Filipino world boxing champions----super WBA welterweight titlist Sen. Manny Pacquiao, IBF superflyweight king Jerwin Ancajas, WBO bantamweight ruler Johnriel Casimero and IBF minimumweight beltholder Pedro Taduran. But the New Year is brimming with hope for more Filipinos to reign on the throne with six No. 1 contenders in the queue for mandatory title shots.

The latest ratings show Nonito Donaire, Jr. as WBC No. 1 bantamweight, Albert Pagara as WBO No. 1 superbantamweight, Michael Dasmarinas as IBF No. 1 bantamweight, Giemel Magramo as WBO No. 1 flyweight, Melvin Jerusalem as WBC No. 1 minimumweight and Robert Paradero as WBO No. 1 minimumweight.

Donaire, 37, was recently named to challenge WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali of France with a deadline of Jan. 3 to determine date, venue and purses. Last November, he pushed Japan’s unbeaten Naoya Inoue to the limit in the World Boxing Super Series final in Saitama to unify the WBA and IBF titles and lost on points in what Boxing News of London voted the Fight of the Year. Donaire’s record is 40-6, with 26 KOs.

Pagara, 25, is coming off a first round disposal of Thailand’s Ratchanon Sawangsoda in Ormoc City last August and boasts a 32-1 record, with 23 KOs. His only loss was to Mexico’s Cesar Juarez on an eighth round TKO in San Mateo, California, in 2016. Pagara’s hurdle is WBO 122-pound champion Emanuel Navarrete who halted Filipino challenger Mig Elorde in the fourth round in Las Vegas last September.

Dasmarinas, 27, is unbeaten in his last 12 fights and has a 30-2-1 record, with 20 KOs. Inoue holds the IBF crown in his division. Magramo, 25, has won his last seven outings and is fresh from a third round stoppage of Richard Claveras in Taguig last September. He’s the only Filipino ranked in the top 10 by five major governing bodies as No. 1 by WBO, No. 3 by IBF, No. 4 by IBO, No. 5 by WBC and No. 6 by WBA. The WBO titlist in Magramo’s way is Japan’s Kosei Tanaka.

Jerusalem, 25, has a 15-2 record, with 9 KOs. In 2017, he lost a close decision to WBC minimumweight titlist Wanheng Menayothin in Thailand and if not for a point deduction due to a low blow, it would’ve ended a majority draw. Wanheng, 34, holds the record for most wins in an unblemished record by a world champion, 54-0, better than Floyd Mayweather’s mark. Paradero, 23, is ranked No. 1 by WBO, No. 7 by IBF and No. 10 by IBO in the 105-pound division and should be next in line to challenge WBO titleholder Wilfredo Mendez of Puerto Rico. Paradero’s record is 18-0, with 12 KOs.

Filipinos who lost their world titles this year were Donaire (super WBA bantamweight), Vic Saludar (WBO minimumweight) and Donnie Nietes (voluntarily relinquished WBO superflyweight crown). Nietes, 37, has not fought since winning the vacant WBO 115-pound title on a split decision over Kazuto Ioka in December last year. He’s ranked No. 2 by IBO, No. 4 by IBF and No. 6 by WBC in the superflyweight division. His record is 42-1-5, with 23 KOs. If Nietes stays active, he could fight for another world title this coming year.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Yanong arrives in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 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.