Philippines, 28 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


STORY OF PHILIPPINE BOXING PART XXV: TACY MACALOS, IBF WORLD LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION


PhilBoxing.com




Tacy Macalos was born Epitacio Agapay on October 28, 1965 at Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte.

He suffered his first loss in his professional debut one of the few world champions who failed in their first bout. Ariel Samson defeated him by decision on February 17, 1984.

Macalos drew his next two fights and it was only in his fourth match when he gained his first win, that victory was over Ramon Lupasi by decision on April 28, 1984.

He went on to attain triumphs over Sammy Baculong, Julius Olegario, Elmer de Galla, Bert Chan, Edgar Capino Jr., Joel Advinvula, Steve Ponan, Tito Abella, Lou Marabe, Ariel Samson in a rematch, Rolando Protacio, Junior Bailon, and Ronnie Vallescas by decision.

Macalos won over Danny Duran, Edward Adame, and Titing Dignos by TKO.

He became Philippine light flyweight champion by stopping Little Baguio via 8th round TKO on October 30, 1986 in Olongapo City.

In March 29, 1987, Macalos lost in his first bid for a world title to Jum Hwan Choi in his home turf in Suwon, South Korea by controversial split decision for the International Boxing Federation world light flyweight championhip.

Filipino judge Francisco Alejandro scored it 146-143 for Macalos but Indonesian judge Leon Johannes saw it 145-142, while Korean judge Jin-Kuk Kim had it 147-143 all for Choi.

Then Sonny Vidal wrested the Philippine light flyweight title from Macalos after he was declared unfit to continue because of a right eye injury due to legal punches. The referee stopped the fight in the 9th round for the TKO on July 4, 1987.

He collected victories over Leopard Ari by 3rd round TKO, Arnulfo Melencion by 2nd round TKO, Cesar de la Cruz by 5th round TKO, Thailand's Rittichai Lukmingkwan by 5th round TKO, and another Thai Thanjai Donjadee by 3rd round KO.

Macalos finally became a world champion in November 5, 1988 when he won the IBF light flyweight title by an overwhelming unanimous decision over South Korean Jum Hwan Choi during their rematch at the Araneta Coliseum. The judges' scoring 119-108, 119-109, and 117-110 told the dominance of the new champion.

He prevailed over South Korean Seung Yup Kang in a non-title bout via 4th round TKO in Manila on March 4, 1989.

Macalos lost his IBF world light flyweight title when he was defeated by former Muay Thai fighter Muangchai Kittikasem of Thailand by split decision in Bangkok, Thailand on May 2, 1989. Only Filipino judge Alejandro Francisco favored Macalos, 118-112. While Thai judge Niphon Larhula saw it 117-115 and Australian judge Ray Mitchell had it 118-115 both for Kittikasem.

Both Macalos and Kittikasem had a rematch in Bangkok on October 6, 1989. Macalos was leading on two scorecards when he was knocked out in the 7th round.

Without a title this time, he triumphed over Sammy Ansig by 4th round TKO, Primo Erasan by majority decision, and South Korean In-Man Chang by 4th round TKO.

Macalos defeated former two-time world champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa by 6th round technical decision when Peñalosa was cut in the right eye on February 2, 1993 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Macalos suffered four straight setbacks to former IBF world flyweight champion Rolando Bohol by UD, future WBA world bantamweight titlist Daorung Chuwatana of Thailand by 8th round KO, future WBC world super flyweight ruler In Joo Cho by decision, and Japanese flyweight champion Puma Toguchi by 3rd round KO, signalling that it's the time to call it quits.

He compiled 44 total bouts, 29 wins with 12 KOs, 12 losses with 5 KOs, and 3 draws per Boxrec.com. He did not abandon boxing totally being a trainer of boxers at present.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • “It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Donaire back in Cebu
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 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.