Philippines, 03 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


31st WBO CONVENTION OPENS (DAY ONE REPORT & PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com




PANAMA CITY ? The 31st WBO Annual Convention formally opens here Tuesday morning at the iconic Hotel El Panama & Convention Center located in Panama's downtown and financial district with WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel presiding.

Participants squeezed in to the jampacked Salon Topacio during the morning's general assembly with than 300 delegates from all the world are expected to attend throughout the week's activities.

Below are the summary of the day's proceedings:

• WBO president Valcarcel requested to do his report later in the afternoon or Wednesday morning after other committee members reports. He then requested WBO treasurer Adolfo Flores Munge to proceed with his report
• WBO treasurer Adolfo Flores Munge emphasized the strength of WBO's financial condition with $1.7 million dollars cash on hand to comfortably sustain the organization's operations; Flores also revealed that a 200,000 dollars fund has been reserved for litigation purposes. Legal adviser Andrew Horn commented more on the fund and emphasized that the WBO hasn't lost a legal case in the last 25 years.
• WBO vice-president for Latin America Jorge Molina then made his report highlighting the increase of the number of WBO Latino title fights in the past year
• Association of Boxing Commission's (ABC) Sean Wheelock spoke briefly about the rule of the commission and invite participants to attend the ABC seminar and certification
• Video presentation / tribute to the deceased former WBO president Ramon Pina Acevedo, a lawyer and political figure of the Dominican Republic, who died at age 96 last February.
• WBO Europe vice-president made his report for the past year highlighting the continued growth of the WBO in that part of the world
• Japanese boxing journalist and matchmaker Joe Koizumi introduced to the assembly WBO junior flyweight champion Kosei Tanaka who will be recognized by the WBO for his achievement as a WBO three division world champion joining an exclusive group that includes Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Terence Crawford.
• WBO vice-president for North America Richard De Cuir was next to report and first talked about the change of rule by ABC regarding the weight gain limit on fight day for championship fights that could potentially affect world title fights going forward.
• Paco Valcarcel adjourned the meeting for lunch break and reminded the participants for the evening's scheduled tour of the Panama Canal.



WBO opens, Executive Committee members (L-R): Officials Chairman Michael Pernick, 2nd VP Erno Labega, 3rd VP Geno Rodriguez, Founder/Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas, President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel, 1st VP John Duggan, Legal Adviser Andrew Horn and NABO/WBO-Intl Executive Director Diana Melendez.

This year's convention improved on the optics with large photo displays at the hotel lobby of important fights and a parade of portrait photos of the current WBO champions decorating the alley going to the conference rooms.





In the afternoon session, WBO Grievance Committee lawyer Fernando Gierbolini discussed about the role of the committee in regards to cases within the WBO.

Next up VP Asia-Pacific, China and Africa head Leon Panoncillo Jr did his report for the past year with a great turn around in Africa's number of regional fights and sanction fees. Panoncillo reported a total revenue of $278,994.33 for the year, a considerable increase from the previous year's revenue of $190,346.61.

The next discussion was about the proposed Trans-Oceanic regional belt that will cover Australia, New Zealand, Russia and Europe proposed by Executive member Danny Leigh. The discussion consumed the remaining time of the afternoon as officials weighed in the pros and cons of having a new belt and the appropriate name of the belt. Representatives from Europe headed by Koko Kovacs voiced out their reservations about the new title while Leigh and president Valcarcel pushed the need to have another belt for the up-and-comers for the region. With the issue unresolved, championship committee chairman Luis Batista Salas moved to adjourn the proceedings and suggested for the members of the committee involved to continue to discuss the issue and settle it out during the next meeting.


Manos de Piedra Roberto Duran (R) attends the convention.


Japan's Joe Koizumi introduces WBO world champion Kosei Tanaka.



Delegates from Asia was headed by Leon Panoncillo Jr, WBO vice-president for Asia-Pacific. Other delegates coming from Asia include Games & Amusement Board of the Philippines chairman Abraham Mitra, Japan JBC inspector general and WBO executive committee member Tsuyoshi YasuKochi and China's Professional Boxing Commission's Samson Iu; other Asian delegates who have arrived so far were: from the Philippines judge/referee Danrex Tapdasan, judge Edward Ligas, promoter Kenneth Rontal with his lawyer wife Amabelle; from Japan: Journalist and matchmaker Joe Koizumi, former world champion and now boxing judge Tetsuya Iida and world champion Kosei Tanaka; and from China, matchmaker Aku Zhang.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • No issues with fight ref
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.