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Top Filipino Contenders who Might Become Major World Title Champions this Year - Part I By Myron Sta. Ana PhilBoxing.com Tue, 10 Apr 2012  2011 and 2012 have surely been the renaissance years for Philippine boxing so far as our world title count has soared onto its highest with five regular and one interim world champions at present namely: 1. WBO Welterweight champion Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 Kos); 2. WBO Super Bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire (28-1-0, 18 Kos); 3. WBC Flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro (34-10-5, 24 Kos); 4. WBO Flyweight champion Brian ?The Hawaiian Punch? Viloria (30-3-0, 17 Kos); 5. WBO Light Flyweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes (29-1-3, 16 Kos); 6. and Interim IBF Light Flyweight champion John Riel ?Quadro Alas? Casimero (16-2-0, 10 Kos) We will not be counting Ana ?The Hurricane? Julaton (10-3-1, 1 KO) anymore as she just recently lost her WBO Super Bantamweight belt to Argentine Yesica Patricia ?El Bombon Asesino? Marcos via unanimous decision last March 17th in Mendoza, Argentina while Palawan?s pride, Gretchen ?Chen Chen? Abaniel had also lost her WIBA Minimumweight crown on February 19, 2011 to Samson Tor Buamas of Thailand. Now, it is even more interesting to note that there is an immense likelihood we can have more world champions for the rest of the year as a lot of our prospects and contenders are already on the verge of world title opportunities with their mandatory challenger statuses in the major sanctioning bodies like WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO. Below are our world beaters who (unless their handlers do not take advantage of their lofty rankings in the major organizations, they continue with their ?seasoning and pampering? approach towards them or these boxers themselves lose on their scheduled world title challenges) can end up being additional world champions before the year ends. Minimumweight division: In the forefront and is arguably the only 105-pounder in the country who has the capability to win a world title right now is Binangonan, Rizal?s Denver ?The Excitement? Cuello. 
DENVER ?THE EXCITEMENT? CUELLO (30-4-6, 20 KOs) ? Current WBC Silver Minimumweight champion World Rankings: #2 by WBC, #15 by WBA, #4 by IBF, unranked by WBO Ring Smarts/Winning Tools: He always tries to look for a knockout especially when he is certain he can overpower his opponent but can also switch to being a patient technician getting in and out with fast blows to both the head and the body of his opponent. He also possesses a decent head movement, quick footwork and world-class reflexes that help him evade his opponent?s haymakers despite his area for improvement in defense. Best of all, he has that killer instinct that will stop at nothing once he hurts or downs his opponent. This one, specifically, will definitely work to his advantage in case his opponent is staggered because he will surely make sure the person is put onto the canvas for good. Noteworthy Opponents Beaten: Former 3-defense IBF Minimumweight champion, Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia (TKO9); Light Flyweight prospect, Carlos ?La Ranita? Perez of Mexico (TKO1); and 1-time WBC Light Flyweight title challenger, Omar ?El Pastor? Soto of Puerto Rico (TKO2) Next Scheduled Fight: He is already slated to face WBC #1 and the owner of the other piece of the Silver belt, Ganigan ?El Zurdo? Lopez (20-4-0, 14 KOs) of Mexico on May 20th to determine the next challenger to reigning WBC Minimumweight boss, Kazuto Ioka of Japan. Light Flyweight division: 
JONATHAN ?LIGHTNING? TACONING (13-1-1, 10 KOs) ? Current WBC International Light Flyweight champion World Rankings: #6 by WBC, unranked by WBA, #10 by IBF, and unranked by WBO Ring Smarts/Winning Tools: Despite being relatively unknown even in the country except among insiders and hardcore boxing fans, his record shows that he is a knockout puncher. All of the ten boxers that he made taste the canvas did not last past half of the fight with him and the only boxer who did go past the 5th round was another present world title contender who is now a flyweight, Japan-based Warlito ?Wars Katsumata? Parrenas. In their fight on July 31st two years ago, he downed him twice in the 6th round prompting the referee to stop the fight with 1:59 seconds left the second time he went down. Therefore, using his power, he could end it early with anyone that he is assigned to face. Noteworthy Opponents Beaten: He is untested against solid foreign opposition, but, albeit only one, he holds a win with now-serious flyweight contender, fellow Filipino Wars Katsumata (17-5-0, 15 Kos) who is now based in Tokyo, Japan. Next Scheduled Fight: He is already scheduled to face 1st-time defending WBC Light Flyweight boss, Kompayak Porpramook of Thailand in the latter?s turf in Bangkok, Thailand on May 5th for the latter?s defense of his 108-lb title. His chances may be hard to guarantee but his youth, southpaw stance, knockout power, and 1 ? inch height advantage over the Thai must work in his favor to pull off a mild upset and join fellow Filipinos Donnie Nietes (WBO champ) and John Riel Casimero (IBF Interim champ) on the list of Filipino rulers in the 108-lb category. Flyweight Division: With two Filipinos already holding titles in this weight class namely Sonny Boy Jaro (WBC) and Hawaiian Brian ?The Hawaiian Punch? Viloria (WBO), three more hopefuls are having a race to who can be the next 112-lb world champion. 
MILAN ?EL METODICO? MELINDO (26-0-0, 10 KOs) ? Current WBC Youth Intercontinental & WBO Intercontinental Flyweight champion World Rankings: WBC #7, WBA #9, IBF #8, and WBO #1, Ring Smarts/Winning Tools: Without a doubt, he is the most promising local boxer right now given his superior and world class skills despite not being a one-punch knockout artist. He is also the best technical boxer currently since former world champion, Gerry ?Fearless? Penalosa is not fighting anymore and that Z ?The Dream? Gorres had to retire from the sport involuntarily because of his present condition. In fact, name all of the skills a world-title aspirant needs to possess and he has all of them. He is best known for being able to throw more than two jabs or uppercuts consecutively and knows a variety of punches that he releases with precision ensuring that they land where he wants to. Furthermore, unlike other boxers, he doesn?t waste too much energy with unnecessary movements and awkwardness and takes his time when the situation calls for it but can also be very aggressive when the opportunity presents itself. Truly, he is a certified multi-dimensional fighter whose courage in the ring couldn?t be underestimated as well. Noteworthy Opponents Beaten: ex 3-defense IBF and WBA Minimumweight champion, Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia (UD10), former IBF Light Flyweight champion, Carlos ?El Olimpico? Tamara of Colombia (UD10), former WBC Light Flyweight title challenger, Carlos ?Shangai? Melo of Panama (UD12), Jose Guadalupe ?Lobito? Martinez of Mexico (UD10), Anthony ?Baby Assassin? Villareal of the USA (UD10), Jin-Man Jeon of South Korea (KO2), former 1-time WBA Minimumweight title challenger Francisco ?Chiquita? Rosas of Mexico (RTD10), and former 1-time WBO Minimumweight title title challenger, Juan ?Panterita? Esquer of Mexico (TKO7) Next Scheduled Fight: Although still tentative, he is already being talked about to return to the ring in a co-featured bout on the Pinoy Pride 14 card featuring WBO Light Flyweight champion, Donnie Nietes defending his belt for the first against against a TBA opponent. 
ROCKY ?THE ROAD WARRIOR? FUENTES (33-6-2, 20 KOs) ? Current OPBF Flyweight champion World Rankings: #3 by the WBC, #5 by the WBA, #3 by the IBF, #4 by the WBO Ring Smarts/Winning Tools: He may not be as famous as his more prominent stablemates at the ALA stable like stalwarts Rey Bautista, Milan Melindo and AJ Banal but however underrated he is, he could lay claim to being one of the toughest and equally talented as well. He is mainly known for his signature punches, his overhand right and his left hook. The latter, for one, always comes as a surprise to those who it hits and has also knocked out some of his previous opponents. His defense is good enough as well as he may be prone to uppercuts but it?s hard to hit him on the sides of his head as his hands are always up covering his ears and jaw. He also has good ring generalship that he makes use of so well as he looks for openings he could take advantage of. Lastly, let?s not forget that he?s also a proven body puncher who likes investing hard shots to the sides of the body. For sure, his rich arsenal can help him win his first world title if he is given an opportunity. Noteworthy Opponents Beaten: He?s very famous in Japan as he has beaten some of the best Flyweights and Super Flyweights that boxing-rich nation has to offer like Masafumi Okubo (MD12), Shigetaka Ikehara (TKO11), Yuki Nasu (SD10), Yasuto Aritomi (TKO8), and Hirofumi Mukai (UD12) Next Scheduled Fight: After his impressive 6th-round TKO win over Mexican Javier ?El Chivero? Franco last March 24th in Cebu, let?s all hope his team can help get him a fight with IBF Flyweight champion, Moruti Mthalane of South Africa. He?s rated very highly in the champion?s organization, IBF at #3 and they should take advantage of that. 
FROILAN ?THE SNIPER? SALUDAR (15-0-1, 11 KOs) ? Current WBO Youth, WBO Asia Pacific, & WBO Asia Pacific Youth Flyweight champion World Rankings: #8 by the WBC, #14 by WBA, #6 by IBF, #2 by WBO Ring Smarts/Winning Tools: Compared to the other flyweights on this list, this pugilist from Digos, Davao del Sur has a totally different approach in the ring. He has an educated and very stiff left jab that he just doesn?t use to measure his distance from his opponent but he throws one after another with bad intentions. Also, he possesses a very powerful right straight that he sets up after staying behind his long hard jabs. This vaunted right straight has made a good number of his past opponents go down on the seat of their pants and some of them, even permanently. Once they got hit, it was lights out for them. Another particular characteristic that makes him unique as well is that he may not have very quick feet movement in the ring, as he just does the basic forward-backward movement, but what he lacks in fancy footwork he makes up for his excellent reflexes and it?s hard for his opponents to hit him clean. Finally, he fights tall and this intimidating authority in the ring has helped him bulldoze his way over most of his opponents who were not able to hear the final bell. These special skills up his sleeves will surely pose some challenges to any world champion in the Flyweight division whom he will dance with in the ring. Noteworthy Opponents Beaten: Although Mexican Alejandro ?Terrible? Morales was 13-1-0, 7 KOs when he fought him last March 18th in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, the Mexican didn?t really fight anybody of note except bantamweight prospect, Julio ?Pollito? Ceja whom he actually got knocked out by in the 1st round in September last year. But still, a prospect is a prospect. After all, he?s Mexican and they?re tough hombres who always come to fight. Next Scheduled Opponent: There?s no news yet although everybody hopes it?s already for a world title or against anybody in the top 5 spots of the four major boxing organizations. Super Flyweight Division: 
SYLVESTER ?SILVER? Lopez (19-3-1, 15 KOs) ? Current WBC Silver Super Flyweight champion World Rankings: #1 by WBC, unranked by WBA, unranked by IBF, unranked by WBO (Everyone has got to wonder why he may be ranked at the very top of WBC but it seems that the other boxing organizations haven?t watched any of his fights or yet or even if they have, have not acknowledged any of his ring achievements lately.) Ring Smarts/Winning Tools: Considered as the flag bearer of the Elorde Boxing Stable, this boxer who hails from Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay is known for his bravery and warrior mentality in the ring. He can go toe to toe if the fight goes that way and does not back up from any challenge. This was evidenced by his fights against tough and strong Mexicans Juan Jose ?Goofy? Montes and Oscar ?Ceviche? Ibarra that both happened in their native Mexico. Moreover, He is a very busy fighter on top of the rign who maximizes his time by getting in a lot of strong combinations to every opening he could see. Also, even if he gets cornered, he knows how to get out of trouble well and comes back with punches of his own. Another technique that he is adept at is alternating going to the head and to the body with good lateral movements and effective defense. Noteworthy Opponents Beaten: Although only one, Oscar ?Ceviche? Ibarra who he knocked out in the 8th round of their WBC Silver Super Flyweight fight in September of last year is one of the best Super Flyweights in Mexico and owns wins against former WBC Light Flyweight champion Adrian ?El Confesor? Hernandez (TKO6), now new WBC Flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro (TKO2), and former multiple time world title challenger, Juanito Rubillar. Next Scheduled Fight: He is already the mandatory challenger to new WBC Super Flyweight champion, Yota Sato of Japan and WBC has already mandated their respective handlers to start negotiating for the new belt holder?s first title defense. Let?s just hope it happens in July or August. Bantamweight division: 
AJ ?BAZOOKA? BANAL (27-1-1, 20 KOs) ? Current WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight champion World Rankings: #5 by WBC, #3 by WBA, #3 by IBF, #1 by WBO Ring Smarts/Winning Tools: The pride of Cebu is definitely a potential world champion and soon at that. He might have been upset in July 2008 by Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion of Panama with an embarrassing 10th round KO but he has long put that disappointing loss behind him with a streak of 10 impressive victories highlighted by 6 stoppages. What is he good at? He moves amazingly well and goes in and out to set up his power punches. His defense has since improved as well by making sure his hands are always covering his face even when he throws bombs at his opponent. Also, he has matured tremendously since that shocking upset and is now more calculating and patient in the ring and does not recklessly look for knockouts that leave him open for crisp counters. To add, other features of his arsenal would be his excellent movement in the ring and his bread and butter which is his deadly left straight that he throws after setting up using his southpaw jabs. Finally, his 20 knockouts in 27 wins show that he is a knockout artist and once any opponent left helplessly open is pounded by his heavy hands, they will surely be put to sleep for sure. Noteworthy Opponents Beaten: Former IBF Super Flyweight champion, Juan Alberto ?El Topo? Rosas of Mexico (UD8), Former 3-defense IBF Super Flyweight and IBF Bantamweight champion, Luis Alberto ?El Demoledor? Perez of Nicaragua (DQ7), and Canadian bantamweight prospect Tyson ?Prince of Hali? Cave (TD8) Next Scheduled Fight: TBA although everyone hopes he could fight for the vacant IBF Bantamweight title against Vusi Malinga of South Africa or he could fight in a WBO Bantamweight title eliminator since he?s rated #1 by the WBO against Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand, who?s #2. 
MALCOLM ?EAGLE EYE? TUNACAO (30-2-3, 19 KOs) ? Former 1-defense WBC Flyweight champion World Rankings: #2 by WBC, #9 by WBA, #7 by IBF, and unranked by WBO Ring Smarts/Winning Tools: He?s the local fight fans bet to be the next WBC Bantamweight world champion if only his handlers can already make him fight for it against reigning titlist, Shinsuke Yamanaka of Japan although reportedly, he prefers to get in the ring with Koki Kameda, the regular champion at WBA. Malcolm has been boxing since 1998 and is a veteran of 35 competitive fights 3 of which were world title showcases. His experience and ring exploits say it all. He is a defensive wizard whose other cup of tea is his excellent movement in the ring. A widely popular sharp shooter whose southpaw stance makes it even more complicated for his opponents to decipher him, he also packs power in both of his fists as proven by his 19 knockout wins in 30 fights. He is a complete package who can brawl or box depending on the style of his opponent and always stays in tiptop condition in each of his fights. Overall, he has skills and the power to brag about and let us just hope that in more than eleven years since he was the WBC Flyweight champion from 2000-2001, he could finally have another crack at a major world title again before he hangs up the gloves after several years of proven presence in the ring. Noteworthy Opponents Beaten: former Manny Pacquiao tormentor and WBC Flyweight champion, Medgoen Singsurat of Thailand (TKO7), former WBA Super Flyweight champion Celes Kobayashi of Japan, (Split Draw12), top Japanese Bantamweight Kohei Oba, another top Japanese Bantamweight, Hidenobu Honda, and former 1-time WBC Flyweight title challenger Daigo Nakahiro of Japan. Next Scheduled Fight: No scheduled fight yet but everyone hopes that his world title challenge can come against either WBC Bantamweight champion, Shinsuke Yamanaka or WBA Regular Bantamweight titlist, Koki Kameda. To continue with Part II? PhilBoxing.com would like to welcome Myron Sta. Ana to its roster of contributors. You can view more of Myron's works at Mandirigmang Pinoy: www.facebook.com/MandirigmangPnoy. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Myron Sta. Ana.  |
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