Philippines, 15 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WBA RESOLVES WBA SUPERFLY TITLE VACANCY!


PhilBoxing.com



Sampson Lewkowicz.

CEBU CITY--International matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, here for this Saturday's WBA-sanctioned tussle between AJ 'Bazooka' Banal and Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion, faced the media last night in a press conference hosted by the ALA Promotions at the Casino Espanol's Madrid Room.

Lewkowicz announced to the media that the WBA has made a resolution regarding the vacant regular WBA superflyweight title.

According to the respected international matchmaker, voted as 2008 Matchmaker of the Year by the WBA, the boxing body will sanction the July 26 Banal-Concepcion fight as an interim championship for the WBA, with the winner still recognized as a champion. In fact, officials who will do the bout are all appointed by the WBA, with the corresponding sanctioning requirements of the fight that of a world title event.

On the other hand, the September 15 showdown between the two top-rated Japanese fighters--Nobuo Nashiro and Kohei Kono--will also be sanctioned by the WBA for the regular superflyweight championship.

Lewkowicz made special mention of Japan's leading promoter, the highly-regarded Akihiko Honda, who "fought for his boys."

According to the WBA, the winner of both contests would then meet before December 15, 2008 to determine the ABSOLUTE champion of the superflyweight division.


Lewkowicz (C) flanked by ALA Gym President Michael Aldeguer (L) and Concepcion's manager Damon de Berry, explains the WBA resolution regarding its super flyweight championships to the media last night at the Casino Espanol in Cebu City.

The WBA Championship Committee unanimously decided on the following:

1. Grant Nobuo Nashiro and Kohei Kono as vacant superflyweight title bout September 15, 2008 in Yokohama, Japan thus respecting their leading available contender's status.

2. Apply special permit rule to allow Alex John Banal and Rafael Concepcion for the WBA interim championship title bout next July 26th, 2008 in Cebu Island, Philippines.

3. In the event both fights end in a draw, the two leading available contenders of the division at the moment will have the right to fight for the vacant title.

4. If the Nashiro vs Kono vacant title bout ends in a draw, but Banal vs Concepcion championship has a winner, he would be considered the regular champion but must fight in 120 days versus leading available contender of the division.

5. If the Banal vs Concepcion championship match ends in a draw but the Nashiro vs Kono vacant title bout has a winner, he would be appointed as regular champion and will have 9 months to defend against the official certified contender.

6. If bout championship bouts have winners, they shall box before December 15, 2008 to determine the ABSOLUTE champion of the superflyweight division.

7. In any case, a REMATCH of the above mentioned bout would be permitted.

The WBA, according to Lewkowicz, also cited that it is considering policies and strategies to design development plans and programs to enhance its presence in the region.

It noted that the last WBA bout ever sanctioned in the Philippines was the WBA bantamweight title bout between Luisito Espinosa and Israel Contreras on October 19, 1991 at the Araneta Coliseum.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Munsayac, Celones get FMA award
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Weigh-In Results for Sanman 101: Laurente Eyes Home Victory
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • Arleah Cassandra Sapuan of Valencia, Negros finishes ninth in Las Vegas chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 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.