Philippines, 24 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MARAON, ASENJO STOP TANZANIAN FOES

PhilBoxing.com


Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental - World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon successfully defended his title with a 6th round TKO of durable and resilient Anthony Mathias of Tanzania while diminutive Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo demolished a 17-year-old Tanzanian boxing prospect, Sadiki Abdulazizi, in the first round to win the vacant WBO Oriental Miniflyweight title before a jampacked Medina Gymnasium here Saturday night.

Maraon's first defense of the boxing title he won via a sensational 3rd round knockout of compatriot Jason Egera three months ago, was highlighted by four knockdowns scored against the game Tanzanian.

Maraon dropped Mathias in the first, second and third rounds before referee Tony Pesons finally stopped the fight at 2:06 of the 6th after the Tanzanian hit the canvas for the fourth time courtesy of the powerful and lightning quick left straights unleased by the champion. Mathias protested the stoppage but his corner, seeing his boxer hurt and bleeding from the mouth and nose, agreed with the referee's decision.

The 24-year-old champion from Molave, Zamboanga del Sur who fights out of the Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato improved his record to 14 wins (11 KOs) and 1 draw. The victory is expected to push him up the world ratings of the WBO where he is currently ranked No. 8.

Asenjo, 19, from Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, showed Misamis boxing fans why he is called Little Assassin as he stalked the taller and young Sadiki right after the bell starting the fight. With barely a minute into the round, Asenjo caught the Tanzanian with a thunderous left sending the African fighter to the canvas for a count of eight.

A badly hurt Sadiki stood up wobbling but Asenjo pursued him scoring two more knockdowns ending the fight at 2:59 of the first round. Asenjo improved his professional record to 14 wins (12 KOs) with 2 losses.

In the undercard, WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight champion Rolando Magbanua, preparing for bigger fights ahead of him, made a quick job on a bigger Donryll Marcos scoring a technical knockout at 2:05 of the 5th. Magbanua remains undefeated with 16 wins and 11 KOs.

In the most controversial fight of the night, knockout artist Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, 22, was declared loser after referee Delbert Pelegrino declared that the cut suffered by Eric Macas in th 5th was caused by a headbutt. A review of the tape of the fight which was covered for ABS CBN Studio 23, however, showed that no clash of heads happened prior to the stoppage of the fight.

Had the cut been declared as a result of the legitimate blow, the fight would have been awarded to Villanueva who, even when he was in complete control of the fight hurting Macas several times, was behind on points in the scoring of the three local judges.

Added to the controversy was the discovery made later that one of the judges, Cyrusman Manatad, who was assigned to the fight by Games and Amusements Board supervisor Vic Cabalog is the son of ring official Andres Manatad who works for the boxing manager of Macas.

North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Pinol, who owns Braveheart Boxing Club to which Villanueva belongs, said he will ask his lawyer to file a petition before GAB to ask for the reversal of the decision based on the videotape of the fight.

Other results:

- Reynaldo Belandres KOed Rolando Magallano 2:48 of the fourth round;
- Jermie Jabel KOed Gerry Baja 1:56 of the first round;
- Rey Juntilla KOed Ariel Austria 1:14 of the first round;
- Albert Alcy won over Richard Betos by SD in 8 rounds;
- Randy Lagos won by MD over Joemar Dote in 4 rounds;




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 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
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Four Pinoys in line for title shots
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 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.