Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GAB aims for more Pinoy world champs


PhilBoxing.com



Atty. Francisco Rivera.

GAB chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera’s wish for the new year is the ascension of more Filipino world boxing champions and from all indications, it may come true. Right now, the Philippines has two reigning belt-holders, both in the 105-pound minimumweight division, WBC’s Melvin Jerusalem and IBF’s Pedro Taduran.

At the moment, there are four Filipinos lined up for mandatory cracks at the world title as No. 1 contenders----WBO superfeatherweight Charly Suarez, IBF lightflyweight Christian Araneta, WBO lightflyweight Regie Suganob and WBO minimumweight Vic Saludar. Ranked No. 2 a whiff away from a championship shot are WBC superfeatherweight Mark Magsayo, WBC superbantamweight Marlon Tapales, WBO superbantamweight Carl Jammes Martin and WBA lightflyweight Arvin Paciones.

There is talk that former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is gearing to challenge WBC welterweight ruler Mario Barrios, a six-foot Texan of Mexican descent, in July. Barrios, 29, beat Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas on points to claim the vacant WBC interim welterweight crown in Las Vegas in 2023 and was later elevated to full championship status. Last November, he was held to a split 12-round draw by Abel Ramos to barely retain the throne in Texas. Pacquiao, 46, hasn’t engaged in a regular fight since losing his WBA welterweight title to Ugas in 2021 although he did a pair of exhibitions with DK Yoo in Korea in 2022 and Rukiya Anpo in Japan last July.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, however, doused talk of a Pacquiao comeback. “No clue, no idea, nothing true right now about Barrios or Jimuel (Pacquiao’s son) on the undercard,” he said. “This happening, that happening about Jimuel turning pro. All I can tell you is Manny’s running for Senator, I know that’s for sure.”

Gibbons plans to fly to Manila this week to confer with Pacquiao on preparations for staging the Golden Anniversary of the Thrilla In Manila, tentatively on Oct. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. He also intends to take up the possibility of Pacquiao’s weekly TV show “Blow By Blow” hosting Taduran’s IBF title defense against countryman Ar-Ar Andales who recently defeated former world titlist Rene Mark Cuarto.

“My wish is for the country to have more world champions,” said Rivera, a CPA lawyer who was sworn in as GAB chairman last June. “Our focus is to bring in more science in boxing, particularly in areas such as sports nutrition and conditioning. GAB held a seminar last year where the invited speakers talked about nutrition and conditioning. We are planning to have more of the same this year.”

Rivera and GAB commissioner Angel Bautista represented the country at the WBC Convention in Hamburg last month. Among the Filipinos who attended were Johnny and Liza Elorde, WBC ratings committee member Mig Elorde, Jerusalem and boxing judge Rey Danseco.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 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.