Philippines, 30 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PANONCILLO BREAKS SILENCE, RESPONDS TO ISSUES HURLED AGAINST WBO


PhilBoxing.com




WBO Asia-Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo lead the WBO DRUG FREE YOUTH outreach program held in my hometown of Mabolo, Cebu City. Together with Promoter Sammy Gello-ani and Mabolo Barangay Captain Rey Ompoc, they gave bags and school supplies to children and teenagers of the barangay.

Mr. Panoncillo had a conversation with this writer before the event and opened up about the series of controversies and intrigues written about him and the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

?It was never our intention to manipulate our ratings so Ciso Morales would get a title shot against Fernando Montiel. Morales or any WBO world rated fighter can fight in another weight division as long as he can make the weight.? He said. ?Morales deserved a ranking and a shot at the world title for successfully defending his super bantamweight Oriental title. Remember when he fought in Canada at 122 lbs against Mexican Miguel Gonzales Piedras? Morales was small compared to his opponent. So, it was decided by Sammy Gello-ani and trainer Nonito Donaire that he will have to fight at 118.?

?The plan to have Morales campaign at 118 was made even before Z Gorres was injured. The Montiel camp turned down Michael Domingo as a substitute for Gorres, which was their prerogative, and chose Morales.?

?Many boxers fight in two different weights, Sergio Martinez fought at 154 and 160. To use as an example, Manuel Vargas fought at 105 but was allowed by the WBA to fight at 115 against Nonito,Jr.? Panoncillo added. ?I also talked with Morales? manager Kenneth Rontal regarding the article that his boxer fought and lost against Las Pinas in his first fight. That was an exhibition bout. Morales was not licensed at that time and this was an exhibition fight between an amateur and a pro.?

?And even if he did lose, even if he wasn?t undefeated? does one loss disqualify you from a title shot later on in your career??

Mr. Panoncillo also talked about Johnriel Casimero?s title shot against Ivan Calderon which got canceled. ?The WBO rules do require that they fight each other. But Sampson Lewkowicz, who promotes Casimero, and Ivan Rivera who represents Calderon, decided that it would be to the financial benefit of the two boxers if they defend their titles first before fighting each other.?

?Both boxers are undefeated. Casimero already has the interim title. If he beats Garcia Hirales and Calderon decides to move up in weight, then he will be the champion.?

With his regards to the write-up about his presence in the Montiel ? Hasegawa match, Panoncillo provided the following information:

The Montiel bout with Hasegawa was officially sanctioned accordingly as a defense for Montiel, it was not meant for a unification, as indicated on Mr. Luis Batista-Salas? Championship Committee letter to Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, that states, ?Dear Mr. Beltran, the World Boxing Organization?s Championship Committee sanctions the above referenced bout between Fernando Montiel and Hozumi Hasegawa to be held on April 30, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan with three provisions that:

(1) If Fernando Montiel wins, he faces within 90 days of the bout, the winner of the bout between Eric Morel vs. Jorge Arce to be held on April 24th in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico; and,

(2) If Fernando Montiel loses, the WBO Bantamweight title becomes vacant; furthermore,

(3) Mr. Hozumi Hasagawa is NOT fighting for the WBO title; therefore, if Mr. Hasegawa wins he will not become the WBO Bantamweight title holder.

The assigned supervisor WBO Asia Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo, Jr. will supervise the defense of Fernando Montiel and was officially appointed by WBO President Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

?All I want is fair and balanced coverage and a chance to air our side.? Mr. Panoncillo concluded.

Top photo: WBO Vice President Leon Panoncillo, Jr (right, back row) and SGG Promotions President Sammy Gello-ani (left, back row) pose with less privileged students during WBO's outreach program held at the Mabolo Sports Gymnasium in Cebu City Friday afternoon.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • ‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • 20 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Taguig boxing clinic starts
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Tank Davis could return later this year
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio to compete in Asean Sr chessfest in Singapore
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Murat Gassiev to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown against Yoka at IBA PRO 19
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • ‘Not a Kid Anymore.’ Edward Vazquez Talks About How He’s Matured While Training to Face Daniel Lugo on ProBoxTV in Friday, June 5, Main Event
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Remulla, Ferrer, Matro to grace Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • McHugh next for Dy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Sweat, Smiles & Strategy: Ador Torres Helps Tim Tszyu Sharpen Up for Errol Spence
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Benavidez receives the Tollan Tlatequi WBC belt in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Llover ready to fight Angeletti on June 6
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 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.