Ryan Songalia
800 articles · PhilBoxing.com
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Maraon’s healed hands aim to punch ticket to title shot
MANILA ? For three years Jundy Maraon remained out of the ring and in limbo about what he would do with his life. His hands were his livelihood, his ticket out of…
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Best I’ve Faced: Luisito Espinosa
No conversation about the greatest Filipino fighters of all time can be conclusive without a lengthy segment on Luisito Espinosa. Known as "Lindol," or "Earthquake" in English, Espinosa is on the short…
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Casimero to defend title in Manila on July 21
MANILA - After establishing himself as one of boxing's ultimate road warriors, IBF junior flyweight titleholder Johnriel Casimero will finally get a home game on July 21 when he makes his third…
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Marquez dominates Tamara, remains relevant
The Hernan Marquez-Carlos Tamara flyweight bout was billed as a WBO eliminator. In reality, it was an eliminator of much greater significance. Both men, who had once held world title belts, were…
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Sabillo-Estrada title bout may usher in casino era for Philippines boxing
MANILA, Philippines ? WBO strawweight titleholder Merlito Sabillo will make his first title defense on July 6 against Jorle Estrada of Colombia, with the newly-constructed Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila as…
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Melindo says game plan, stamina are keys to beat Estrada
MANILA, Philippines ? After maintaining his unbeaten record with a fourth-round knockout earlier in the night, Milan Melindo took a ringside seat to watch Juan Francisco Estrada upset Brian Viloria by decision…
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Pagara decisions Herrera, but is he star material?
CEBU CITY, Philippines ? "What is a star?" This was the question posed by ALA Promotions' president Michael Aldegeur following Jason Pagara's unanimous-decision win over Aaron Herrera at the Waterfront Hotel in…
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Servania: First Cebu, then Macau
CEBU CITY, Philippines ? Through 19 previous fights, Genesis Servania has already accomplished his initial goal to help his family. The junior featherweight prospect from Bacolod City, Philippines has long been the…
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As Rios fight looms, Pacquiao enjoys his hoops
TAGUIG CITY - Away from the prizefighting ring, basketball is a refuge for Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao, who has won world titles in a record-setting eight divisions, finds solace on the court, where…
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Mancio KOs Villegas to win Philippine junior flyweight title
PARANAQUE CITY - It wasn't always pretty, but Jerson Mancio got the job done, stopping a game but outgunned Robel Villegas at 2:02 of the fifth round at the Flash Grand Ballroom…
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Zhong-Cuello 105-pound title fight set for June 28 in Dubai
RIZAL, Philippines - WBC strawweight titleholder Xiong Zhao Zhong will make his long-awaited mandatory title defense against No. 1 contender Denver Cuello on June 28 in the United Arab Emirates city of…
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Ioka, Miyazaki retain titles in Osaka
Kazuto Ioka is one of the best fighters today that the western hemisphere will probably never see, but fans in his hometown of Osaka, Japan, sure appreciate him. The highly-partisan crowd at…
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Sabillo to make hometown defense June 29
MANILA - Merlito Sabillo had to travel halfway around the globe to win the WBO strawweight title in Colombia, but he'll get to make his first defense in his hometown. Sabillo (21-0,…
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Uchiyama KOs Parra in 5, Solis upsets Kono
Incumbent Japanese world titleholders split a pair of bouts to Venezuelan challengers on Monday night, as WBA junior lightweight titleholder Takashi Uchiyama retained his belt with a fifth-round technical knockout over Jaider…
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Estrada-Melindo, Servania confirmed for July 27 in Macau
MANILA - ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete confirmed that Filipino junior featherweight prospect Genesis Servania will see action in a ten-round bout underneath the second professional outing of two-time Olympic gold…
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Farenas targets Mendez after Saturday night tuneup
Junior lightweight contender Michael Farenas says he has one eye on Saturday night's fight with Mexican journeyman Gerardo Zayas, and the other staring down a possible title shot in the summer. Farenas…
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‘Boom Boom’ Bautista drops decision to Ramirez in Philippines
Saturday night may have marked the end of the road for the Philippines' most popular local box-office draw. Former world title challenger Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista lost a split decision to Mexican…
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Fury-Cunningham: A rare saleable heavyweight bout
NEW YORK ? The 12-year age gap between Tyson Fury and Steve Cunningham is never more apparent than when they open their mouths. Fury (20-0, 14 knockouts), a 24-year-old British heavyweight contender,…
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Zou back on July 27; Arum to sign Penalosas; Donaire-JuanMa next?
NEW YORK -- Top Rank CEO Bob Arum tells RingTV.com that he is planning a second card in the Chinese region of Macau on July 27, which will be headlined by the…
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Donaire stands alone atop Philippine boxing mountain
NEW YORK - The past decade has been the best period in the history of Filipino boxing. Prior to Manny Pacquiao's breakout victory over Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003, Filipino boxers were…
