Philippines, 31 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Takayama wins vacant IBO World minimum title


PhilBoxing.com




GEN SANTOS CITY [Dec. 19] -- Katsunari Takayama of Japan is the new International Boxing Organization World minimumweight champion after he beat erstwhile unbeaten Kha Lu of Australia last night, December 18 at the Bula Gym in Gensan.

The 41-year-old Takayama showed the shorter Lu how boxing should be fought as he displayed constant motion in the whole 12-round bout.

Takayama, a former 4-time world champion, seemed not tired as he kept hitting Lu with punches left and right all the time.
It was only in the 9th round that Lu hurt Takayama with his punches.

Judges Nowel Haduca [118-110], Antonio Comia [119-109] and Rodney Marsh [120-108] scored all in favor of Takayama for a unanimous decision.

Takayama improved his record to 35 wins with 12 knockouts and nine loses, while the 24-year old Lu suffered his first setback after seven wins with three knockouts.

“Thanks to all of your encouragement and support, we were able to conquer five groups,” said Takayama.

Takayama has set a new record by becoming the only fighter in history to be crowned All-Body Champion at 105-pound - WBC [2005], WBA [2006], IBF [2013 & 2015], WBO [2014 & 2017] and IBO [2024].

Takayama was awarded by IBO supervisor Steve Scott the vacant golden belt in front of promoters Jim Claude “JC” Manangquil and Dexter Tan of Sanman Boxing.

It was the first IBO world title championship in boxing held in the Philippines.

"We did this in Gensan and two boxers, who are both foreigners,” said Manangquil.

Meanwhile, WBO Oriental bantamweight champion Reymart “Assasin” Gaballo of Polomolok scored a 3rd round knockout over James Pagalingof Misamis in the main supporting bout.

The other results:
Gabriel Santisima TKO’d Ponciano Remandiman in the 5th
Vince Paras TKO’d Anthony Gilbuela in 3rd round
Abubakar Yanon knockout Ernesto Camiguing in the 3rd round
Alex Santisima Jr. TKO’d Ryan Rey Ponteras in 3rd round
Dave Apolinario beat Jeny Boy Boca by a unanimous decision

CHAMP AGAIN. Katsuari Takayama is again a world champion with trainer Nobuhiro Ishida, a former WBA light middleweight champion.[photo by SANMAN]


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors
    , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament gets underway
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • ‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • 20 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Taguig boxing clinic starts
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Tank Davis could return later this year
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio to compete in Asean Sr chessfest in Singapore
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Murat Gassiev to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown against Yoka at IBA PRO 19
    , Thu, 28 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.