Philippines, 12 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


FILIPINO JOHN MARK APOLINARIO IS THE NEW WBO ORIENTAL SUPERFLYWEIGHT CHAMPION


PhilBoxing.com





INDONESIAN DAUD YORDAN WINS IMPRESSIVELY IN HIS PHILIPPINE DEBUT

Last Sunday, September 26, John Mark Apolinario (16W-2L, 3KOs) of Yraola Boxing Gym won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental 115-lb. crown at the Arayata Sports Complex, Tanza, Cavite.

The Apolinario-Palicte tiff was the main event of the event entitled ?The Next Prospects V?. The boxing card was composed of 10 explosive matches scheduled for 70 rounds.

Apolinario defeated the equally talented Vincent ?Popeye? Palicte (12W-3L-1D, 5KOs) of the Jupiter Makati Boxing Gym. Palicte was the former World Boxing Council (WBC) International Bantamweight titlist.

Before the scheduled championship battle, it was billed as an evenly-matched fight between two young up-and-coming Filipino boxers. Apolinario had the edge in the number of fights having fought 17 times before his first crack at a regional title. However, Palicte had the advantage of fighting and winning a championship for a regional crown.

The first half of the fight showed Apolinario as the busier fighter, who was always keeping Palicte at bay with his stiff jabs following them up with a variety of punches. The footwork of Apolinario also appeared superior than that of Palicte. Palicte was the stalker while Apolinario was constantly moving around the ring. No serious damage was evident to the faces of both fighters at this stage.

Both fighters started to unload powerful bombs on the 7th and 8th round with Apolinario enjoying very slim edge and Palicte remained in contention to steal the victory.

Starting the 9th canto, Palicte started to fight with a sense of urgency probably sensing that he was behind on the scorecards.

The championship rounds (rounds 10-12) was a beauty as the championship contestants showed their world-class skills, courage and durability.

Both protagonists were technically sound, both in the offense and defense departments. Because of this, none of the 2 appeared to be at the risk of going down at any moment of the match.


After 12 competitive rounds, all 3 judges scored identically at 116-112 all in favour of Apolinario.

WBO Asia-Pacific Vice President Leon Panoncillo, Jr. supervised the main event. The hardworking WBO official revealed to this writer that with the win, Apolinario will definitely land in the next release of the WBO World Rankings in the superflyweight class now ruled by Argentinian Omar Andres Narvaez. He added that the WBO Oriental title is the best vehicle for Filipino boxers to be immediately noticed at the world stage.

The ring officials for the main event were as follows:

Referee : Bruce McTavish
Judges : Salven Lagumbay
Manny Mananquil
Romy Yulo

In the supporting main event, Daud Cino Yordan of Indonesia scored an impressive fifth round knockout over Filipino Christian Avila of the Peewee Vasquez boxing stable of Libon, Albay. The scorecards of the judges, Atty. Danrex Tapdasan (this writer), Atty. Epi Almeda and Engr. Greg Ortega were unnecessary for the outcome of the fight as Yordan caught Avila with a vicious body punch. Avila stayed down as International Referee Silvestre Abainza reached the count of 10 and awarded the KO win for the visiting Indonesian.

The results of the undercard bouts were as follows:

Jeffrey Segara knocked out Rodolfo Salas in the 2nd round;
Adonis Cabalquinto defeated Jury Noda via a 5th round TKO;
Carlos Suello edged Arjet Caballes thru a unanimous decision over 6 rounds;
Aljohn Osabel won via unanimous decision against John Rey Pasaylo;
Michael Rodriguez dominated Richard Garcia after 6 rounds;
Jerwin Ancajas made Leo Guia his latest victim via unanimous decision;
Dennis Tubieron defeated Rey Leprenaum via unanimous decision; and
Froilan Saludar knocked out Mike Romulo.

The boxing promotion was the latest offering of Sammy Gello-ani?s SGG Sports Promotions in partnership with Sampson Boxing LLC. The main corporate sponsor of the spectacular event was Tanduay, ?The No. 1 Rhum?.

Boxing fans, who missed the live boxing show could still catch the fights at the TV program ?Main Event? hosted by the well-respected and popular sports journalist, Ronnie Nathanielz shown on Solar TV-RPN every Sunday, 1 pm. IBC-13 and cable channel Viva Prime also shows the ?Main Event?

(The writer is a lawyer by profession and a Professional Boxing Referee and Judge licensed by the Games and Amusements Board or GAB)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Atty. Danrex Joseph V. Tapdasan.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 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.