Philippines, 13 May 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:

  • GAB to give boxers 3 years license
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • ROBIN “ROBZ” SAFAR TO FACE ARGENTINA’S HIGHLY RATED YAMIL PERALTA FOR WBC SILVER CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE
    , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • Influencer/boxer Brooklyn Barwick anxious to Bounce back from first loss this Saturday in South Carolina
    , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • Mama ready to facer Ayala in Mexico
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • Demecillo to fight undefeated Martin on May 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card to feature Pro Boxing & Sports Entertainment Experience this Saturday in Quincy (MA)
    , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • Oberio, Bernardino, Talaboc power QC past Isabela in PCAP chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 13 May 2026
  • WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6
    , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan
    , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Boxing trio reunited up there
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • 1st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 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.