Philippines, 26 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Malcolm Tunacao to fight for WBC bantam eliminator in December


PhilBoxing.com




WBC number 2 rated bantamweight challenger Malcolm "Eagle Eye" Tunacao will square off against number 4 ranked Christian Esquivel of Mexico in Kobe Japan.

The Mandaue City born boxer who is now based in Japan confirmed the fight with this Philboxing writer last night.

The fight is scheduled for December 22, 2012 at the Chuuou Taiikukan Gymasium in Kobe and the winner will be next in line to challenge current WBC Bantamweight champion, Shinsuke Yamanaka of Tokyo, Japan.

"Tumawag kanina yung manager ko, ok na daw. Mag conference kami bukas." said Tunacao (My manager called me earlier and informed me that the fight is on. We will have a press conference tomorrow.)

Tunacao belongs to the Shinsie Gym Promotion of Kobe and is being managed and trained by Masato Yamashita.

The top rated Filipino fighter said that the number 1 and number 3 ranked bantamweights of the organization declined the fight and it was the 26 year old Esquivel who agreed to the conditions of the match.

Esquivel, from Temoaya, Mexico has a record of 25-3 (18 KOs) and won the vacant NABF title when he decisioned fellow Mexican fighter, Jesus Ruiz last April.

This won't be Esquivel's first venture to the Land of the Rising Sun. He challenged Yamanaka last year for the then vacant belt in Tokyo and lost via a 11th round TKO in the hands of the hometown fighter.

Meantime, the veteran Filipino pug is enjoying a ten fight winning streak and is undefeated in the last four and a half years. Tunacao is fresh from an eight round UD victory over Martin Mubiru of Uganda last September 15th in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. The Cebuano holds a record of 31-2-3 (19 KOs) and is once the holder of the WBC Flyweight crown.

"Excited ako, kasi it's been 11 years na hindi nakalaban ng world title." (I am excited because I haven't fought for a world title in 11 years.) Tunacao said.

"Eliminator itong paglalababanan namin, title fight na pagkatapos." (This is an eliminator, it will be a title fight after this.) he added.

Tunacao said that he's been watching clips of Esquivel's previous fight against Yamanaka and he thinks he can defeat the Mexican

"Magaling din siya, pero kayang- kaya natin," he disclosed.
(He's good but I can handle him.)

Tunacao states that he will do his best to train and win this fight. He thanked the many Filipinos who like him are based in Japan who come and support him whenever he fights there.

"Marami tayong mga kaibigan dito sir, mga Pinoy at nagpasasalamat ako sa kanilang lahat sa walang awang suporta nila sa akin," Tunacao mentioned.
(We have plenty of Filipino friends here and I thank them for their unwavering support.)

"Gagawin ko lahat hangat saan ko makakaya para maipanalo ang laban na ito," he promised.
(I will do everything I can to win this fight.)

You can reach the author at < href="mailto:rrmaze24@aol.com">rrmaze24@aol.com for any reaction to this article.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering team to the championship of the Oliver Laroya 3x3 (Tatluhan) Rapid Chess Team Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 26 Apr 2026
  • Simona Winkler, Salim Ellis-Bey and Noelle Haro Advance to Medal Rounds At 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Sun, 26 Apr 2026
  • Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Pero vs Miller: Heavies Collide in Prove it fight on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Subkhankulov Stops Usmonov in Russia, Claims IBF No. 2 Spot at Lightweight
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Yeow Ming to fight in Bangkok for ABF title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • MILLER VS. PERO - WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • IBA Pro Champions Night to feature world champions in Saint Petersburg
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Noelle Haro and Marie Rosendo Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Four of 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Bautista to face Dulayba at Okada on April 30
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • 1,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
    , Thu, 23 Apr 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.