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Philippines, 02 Feb 2026 |
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FILIPINO JOHN MARK APOLINARIO TO FACE PANAMA'S ROBERTO VASQUEZ FOR WBA TITLE By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Thu, 11 Oct 2012  The Iceman vs The Spider for a World Title. Filipino bantamweight John Mark Apolinario aka "The Iceman," (right) will have the golden opportunity to become a world champ if he defeats veteran former 2-division world champion Roberto "La Ara?a" (The Spider) V?squez of Panama in their coming clash for the vacant WBA bantamweight interim title on November 3 in Montevideo, Uruguay. "Yes, my fighter Apolinario will fight for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight title against former world champion Roberto V?squez of Panama. We look forward to a good fight," said Filipino promoter Sammy G. Gello-ani to this author today. Sammy Gelo-Ani, owner of the successful SGG Promotions, is also the manager and promoter of Filipino IBF minumumweight world champion John Riel Casimero (17-2, 10KO's), who last August successfully defended his crown in a razor thin split decision over Mexican Pedro Guevara in Mazatl?n, Sinaloa. The V?squez-Apolinario WBA interim title fight will be staged as the current WBA interim champ heavy-hitter Hugo "Cuatito" Ruiz (31-1, 28KO's) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, M?xico will challenge regular Japan's WBA champion Koki Kameda (28-1, 17KO's) on December 4 in Osaka, Japan, leaving the interim title vacant. V?squez and Apolinario are the most highly ranked WBA bantamweight fighters, being V?squez the WBA # 2 and Apolinario the WBA #3. The WBA 'super world champion' in the 118 lbs division is Anselmo "Chemito" Moreno of Panama, who will face undefeated Mexican Abner Mares for the WBC super bantamweight crown on November 10 in a SHOWTIME card at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The 22 year-old Apolinario (17-2-1, 4KO's) born in Mindanao's Sarangani Province, comes to his fight with Vasquez after a rather bizarre win over fellow Filipino Menard Zaragosa last December in Cavite, a fight in which Apolinario's opponent surprisingly sprint as Hussain Bolt from the ring towards the toilets, an odd action that forced the referee to end the bout as a second-round retirement. Meanwhile, the experienced and more accomplished 29-year-old Roberto "La Ara?a" Vasquez (32-5, 22KO's), gets into this title combat after two successful outings this year. The first one, a unanimous decision victory last March over lanky Mexican Mario "Maca" Briones (22-3-1, 16KO's). The second, a knockout win over Dominican bantamweight Geyci Lorenzo a month ago at the Coliseo Carlos 'Teo' Cruz in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The V?squez-Apolinario fight will be the co-main event of the world title match of local female boxer star, the popular and gorgeous Cecilia "La Reina" (The Queen) Comunales defending her WBA Lightweight World crown. Fights will televised LIVE in Argentina and throughout Latin America by the sports channel TyC Sports. In Panama by RPC Televisi?n Canal 4. In Uruguay by VTV. In the Philippines AKSYON TV Channel 5. This international card in Uruguay is a production of international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing LLC in association with well-known promoter Sammy Gello-Ani of SSG Sports Promotions of Cebu, Philippines. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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