Philippines, 18 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Finding Inoue’s successors


PhilBoxing.com




There is speculation that with Naoya Inoue relinquishing his world bantamweight titles in four governing bodies, Filipinos will step up to the plate and vie for the vacant thrones. But according to MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, the only Filipino assured of a crack at the moment is Nonito Donaire, Jr. who’s in line to battle for the WBC title even as his opponent is still to be determined.

Former IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, ranked No. 5 by IBF and No. 10 by WBA in the 118-pound division, was rumored to be taking on Inoue’s brother Takuma for the WBA crown. The WBA’s No. 1 slot is vacant and Takuma is No. 2. Gibbons said Takuma facing Ancajas may happen “eventually” but it’s not on the table yet. Takuma will take on Venezuela’s Liborio Solis for the vacant WBA diadem and if the Japanese wins, Ancajas could be his first challenger.

In IBF, General Santos City’s Vincent Astrolabio is No. 1 and Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez, No. 2. The IBF has ordered a match between the fighters and set a deadline of Feb. 25 to finalize negotiations. If both sides are unable to come to terms, IBF will conduct a purse bid. Although IBF is pushing for the Astrolabio-Rodriguez bout, Gibbons said “it’s most likely not happening.” Rodriguez once held the IBF bantamweight title and is itching to regain the belt. He’s lost twice in his pro career, once to Inoue by a second round KO and once to Filipino Reymart Gaballo on a split decision. Gaballo is also in the bantamweight conversation, ranked No. 4 by WBC and WBO and No. 6 by IBF.

Astrolabio deserves a shot at the crown, coming off five straight wins, including a sixth round stoppage of Nikolai Potapov and a decision over Cuban legend Guillermo Rigondeaux. He’s IBF’s top contender after all. Rodriguez is ranked No. 3 by WBO and No. 5 by WBC. Down the line, the other IBF contenders are No. 3 Jason Moloney, No. 4 Melvin Lopez, No. 5 Ancajas and No. 6 Gaballo.

Moloney, the Australian managed by Top Rank, was supposed to face Donaire for the WBC title but backed out. The scuttlebutt is Top Rank isn’t inclined to negotiate with Donaire’s promoter Probellum. But surely, if a world title is at stake, personal or political differences can be shelved. Is the real reason Moloney’s scared of Donaire? Moloney is also ranked No. 1 by WBO where Astrolabio is No. 2. In Moloney's eyes, maybe Astrolabio could be less of a risk than Donaire. With Moloney forum-shopping, Donaire might end up facing No. 6 Mexican contender Alejandro Santiago who held Ancajas to a split draw in 2018. Thailand’s Nowaphon Sor Rungvisai is ranked No. 3 but isn’t in the equation. He’s not as renowned as his namesake Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, the former WBC superflyweight champion.

Gibbons also ruled out the possibility of Gaballo tangling with Moloney for the WBO title. Talks are continuing to determine the fighters tangling for the vacant WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO bantamweight titles. In other ring fronts, Gibbons said what he can guarantee is Eumir Marcial fighting a six-rounder in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 11, Mark Magsayo tackling Brandon Figueroa for the vacant interim WBC featherweight crown in Ontario, California on March 4 and Marlon Tapales challenging IBF superbantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev in San Antonio, Texas, on April 8. He added that Jade Bornea’s fight against IBF superflyweight titlist Fernando Martinez isn't on the calendar yet.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Thrilla” card takes shape
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Vayson aims to make history
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • “Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Smarts over power
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 15 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.