Philippines, 23 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GM Joey bounces back into contention


PhilBoxing.com


Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. rebounded with a victory over his rival to remain in contention after eight rounds of the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships at the Grand Hotel Barada in Gallipoli, Italy, on Wednesday.

Smarting from a seventh-round setback to fourth seed Grandmaster Victor Mikhalevski of Israel last Tuesday, the 63-year-old Antonio, playing white, subdued International Master Yerlan Tikzhanov of Kazakhstan after 34 moves of the French Defense. With the win, Antonio climbed to 6.0 points, just a full point behind solo leader Mikhalevski.

Mikhalevski defeated Grandmaster Michele Godena of Italy after 41 moves of the Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation, to post 7.0 points in eight outings in the 50+ category.

“With still three rounds left, it’s anybody’s race,” said the 19th-seeded Antonio.

In the 65+ division, International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, playing white, toppled Grandmaster Ruslan Pogorelov of Spain after 61 moves of the English Opening to post his fourth straight win. The 69-year-old Bagamasbad tallied 6.0 points on account of six wins and two losses.

Another Filipino entry, FIDE Master Mario Mangubat, playing white, split the point with Eric Boulard of France after 51 moves of the English Opening to raise his total to 5.5 points in the 65+ category.

In the ninth round, Antonio will meet GM Mikheil Kekelidze of Georgia, Bagamasbad will face IM Evgenij Kalegin of Russia, and Mangubat will take on Boris Super of Austria.

The Filipinos’ participation is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), chaired by John Patrick Gregorio, with Commissioners Edward Hayco and Olivia “Bong” Coo; the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman and President Cong. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and CEO/Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales; Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera; the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), chaired by Alejandro “Al” Tengco; PEZA Director General Tereso Panga; Hotel Sogo Corporate Marketing Manager Maria Suzette Geminiano; sportsman Christopher "Dong" Cheng; Composite Technology Inc. President and General Manager Ricardo Padrinao; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte; Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Aguilar-Abalos; Minglanilla, Cebu Mayor Rajiv Enad; Congresswoman Alexandria “Queenie” Pahati-Gonzales; Quezon City Councilor Vincent Belmonte; and Rezostar Corporation President Travis Vincent Chua.

— Marlon Bernardino


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team Swept Day Two of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • FAELDONIA & NGO RULE STA. FE, ROMBLON, TABLAS OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines heads to Okada, Manila
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • May 16: Kelvin Davis-Peter Dobson Welterweight Clash & Yan Santana-Cristian Cruz Featherweight Battle Added to Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II Card LIVE on DAZN
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • World Super Flyweight contender John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez waiting for Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’ final decision
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Former champ Lawrence Okolie tested positive in VADA testing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Salim Ellis-Bey Secures Win for Team USA on Day One of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Garcia, Young, Gatus banner tough field in 20th Philippine Xiangqi Open Tournament on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION APRIL 20 APRIL 2026: Baumgardner Outpoints Shin, Retains IBF/WBA/WBO 130 Lb Titles; Daniels Stops Green in 9; Lorente SD Collins in WBC Welter Eliminator
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • ​Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Year of Memories Between the Ring and Faith
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • High Stakes in Ufa: Subkhankulov and Usmonov Clash for IBF #2 Spot
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Elorde Jr. is new PBF president
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Ancajas wins 1st bout as feather
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Ito knockouts Lerasan in 1st round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Kristian ‘KP’ Prenga developing into Albanian heavyweight boxing GOAT
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • IIEE PSME Quezon City Simba’s Tribe amazed with GAB Chairman Rivera’s advocacy for chess players
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • ‘CALM’ PERO READY TO FACE MILLER’S FIRE
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez's son Aaron wins professional debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Top Super Featherweights Tsendy Erdenebat & Cobia Breedy Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Registration Now Open for the Return of the Butterfly Brawl at the Iconic Santa Monica Pier – August 22, 2026
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team at World Boxing Cup - Stage One
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Team Altagracia Primus Praedia Land Holding champ in Pacquiao chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • 2-Division World Champion  Daniel Ponce De León Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Tue, 21 Apr 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.