Philippines, 04 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Filipinos Paciones, Refugio, Abdulhamid, Sanchez Make Weight for WBA Asia Wars in Vietnam


PhilBoxing.com





Filipino boxers Arvin Jhon "AJ" Paciones, Jonathan Refugio, Adam Diu Abdulhamid, and Ernie Sanchez successfully made weight for their respective WBA Asia fights unfolding Sunday in Vietnam.

In one of the hottest encounters, young AJ Paciones (4-0, 3 KO's) of Cebu, and fellow Filipino Jonathan Refugio (22-9-5, 8 KO's), of Bukidnon successfully made weight ahead of their 12-round rumble for the vacant WBA Asia Light Flyweight crown Sunday, August 20, at the plush Saigon Sports Club in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

This intense all-Pinoy war pits the taller, younger 18-year-old AJ Paciones (4-0, 3 KO's), son of former fight warrior Dodong Paciones, against the more-experienced Jonathan Refugio, the 30-year-old battle tested former WBC Asia belt-holder.


Compatriots Paciones and Refugio shake hand ahead of their battle in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Will AJ Paciones be able to handle the ring-savvy Refugio in the toughest fight of life this far, to become "The New" WBA Asia Light Flyweight Champion?

Or will Jonathan Refugio, born in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, teach the teenager AJ Paciones a hard lesson in boxing?

ABDULHAMID, KURANBAEV MAKE WEIGHT FOR WBA ASIA 154 BELT IN VIETNAM

In another WBA Asia title clash, brave Gensan journeyman Adam Diu Abdulhamid (18-13, 9 KO's, on the right) swims in rough waters against taller Tajikistan warrior Avzalbek Kuranbaev (7-1-1, 5 KO's) for the WBA Asia South 154 Pounds Title.


Kuranbaev and Abdulhamid make weight in Vietnam.

Will "Big Daddy" Abdulhamid use his wider experience and knowledge of the square ring to dominate the bigger, dangerous Kuranbaev during their 10-round war?

Or will the hard-hitting Kuranbaev be the victorious one over the Gensan fighter on Sunday evening in boxing-loving Vietnam?

ERNIE SANCHEZ BATTLES UNBEATEN HONG DAT VO

In yet another WBA Asia title rumble, Zamboangueño journeyman Ernie Sanchez (21-18-2, 12 KO's), trade hard blows against undefeated young Vietnamese Hong Dat Vo (5-0, 4 KO's), a tough battle that fans in Vietnam want to witness.

Their 12-rounder for the vacant WBA Asia Lightweight Belt features the more-experienced big-heart Ernie Sanchez against the Vietnamese Young Gun Hong Dat Vo, what will happen?

MORE FIGHTS

In another melee, warriors Kellian Jacob Sisovic (1-0, ) of the Saigon Sports Club, and Indonesian Iwan Key (12-29-3, 1 KO), will get the heat on when they collide in their 6-rounder battle in the Super Lightweight Division.

In the main event, strong-looking, Vietnamese slugger The Long Trinh (4-0, 4 KO's), clashes in a scheduled 10-round battle against Chayanon Phothijun (7-3, 5 KO's) of Thailand for the WBC Asia Silver Middleweight Belt.

The exciting 12-fight show is a production of Shadow Entertainment.

May the Best Men Win!!

The author, veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Let's Go to San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Magramo is new PBO super fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • VARGAS AND WHITTAKER AIM TO SHINE ON HUGE ZAYAS-BOOTS BROOKLYN STAGE
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • José "Chegui" Torres Award ceremony on May 2 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
    , Fri, 01 May 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.