Philippines, 09 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE AND BAUTISTA ARE BOTH RING MAGAZINE CONTENDERS


PhilBoxing.com




Nonito ?Filipino Flash? Donaire is the authoritative Ring Magazine No. 1 contender in the flyweight division. The champion is still being declared vacant. There is a possibility that Donaire will eventually become the ?Ring Magazine? People?s Champion if he fights more well-known opponents.

Donaire successfully defended his IBF/IBO flyweight titles for the first time by scoring an eighth round knockout against IBF No. 4 ranked Mexican challenger Luis Maldonado. Nonito started sluggishly but increased his speed in round two, connecting stiff right hands and left hooks that weakened the legs of Maldonado and opened horrible cuts over both his eyes.

Maldonado displayed extra ordinary courage over the next six rounds, but the speed and accuracy of Donaire turned the fight into a one-sided affair for the champion. In my last article, I predicted a TKO in the 6th or 7th round and last Sunday it happened on the 8th.

Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista is the No. 10 contender in the superbantamweight division in the prestigious ?Ring Magazine? rankings. In the same weight division, Mexican Israel Vasquez, the current WBC superbantamweight champion, is declared as the People?s champion.

Bautista retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental super bantamweight title via a unanimous decision against Mexico's Antonio "Barrio" Meza also last Sunday afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum and confronted Daniel Ponce de Leon who gave him his only loss in his budding career.

"Wherever you are, I'm challenging you for a return bout. I'm not the same man you beat last August. I'll truly come prepared for you, let's see who is the better man," said the Candijay, Bohol native.

The defeat of Meza and Maldonado most likely will have no significant effect on Bautista and Donaire?s rankings, respectively. Both Mexicans have nothing to lose and everything to gain in their fights.

Other Filipino boxers included in the esteemed Ring rankings are Manny Pacquiao, No. 1 junior lightweight/superfeatherweight; Gerry Pe?alosa, No. 5, bantamweight; Z Gorres, No. 10 junior bantamweight/superflyweight; and Filipino-Hawaiian Brian Viloria, No. 8 junior flyweight.

In the pound-for-pound category, Pacquiao remains at No. 2 behind Floyd Mayweather, Jr. who is still No. 1 and having been in the ratings for 465 weeks. The Pacman is in the same ranking for 208 weeks now.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
    , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Weights from Atlantic City
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • PFL Releases Francis Ngannou
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Polkinghorn, Pagara at the Scales in Perth, Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Young Briton Rising Star: Callum Dan's Quest for Boxing Glory
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Chua rules Pattaya Open; pockets $22,500
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • All Star Boxing live on ESPN DEPORTES Weights from Nicaragua
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Rozicki’s Return: Presser Quotes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Heavyweight Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo Returns to Headline “Havoc at the Hilton 3” March 7 in Florida
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • AQ Prime Chess bet Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City rules Elementary Division of NCR Palarong Pambansa Standard chess elims
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Battles Mexican Strongman Manuel Gallegos
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Travels to Thailand for 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Eddie Hearn Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall for New Matchroom Talent Agency
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect  Ebenezer “The Stuntman” Griffith
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • International Boxing Association Strengthens Strategic Presence in Cape Verde Following High-Level Official Visit
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Asia's First GM Eugene Torre 2nd in Russia chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
    , Thu, 05 Mar 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.