Philippines, 29 Jul 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:

  • Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • PH football in group C, G
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • 'The Fight Is Signed': Hearn Declares Joshua vs. Fury Secured as Mind Games Begin with 'Landlord' Spoof
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Chezka Centeno wins 3rd world title by ruling the Oneida WPA Women's World 8-Ball Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • CARE conducts 6.5mile open water in Davao Gulf
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Mise, Arellano rule Davao-Japan golfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Berlanga, Hitchins Win in Zuffa Boxing New York Event
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • World champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay to headline International Boxing Day in Astana
    , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Cyrud "The Ferocious" Cabautan Defeats Michael "D' Power Fist" Diaz in Olympus Rising by TWC Amateur MMA Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • USA Boxing Earns Four Wins at 2026 Capri Boxing Cup
    , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Tim Tszyu Dominates Spence in Wide UD Win as 'The Truth' Formally Retires
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Weigh-In Results - All Set for the Main Event Between Steven Butler and Edgar Berlanga Tomorrow Night in New York City!
    , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Team USA Set for Capri Boxing Cup Against Italy on Saturday
    , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • 'The Comeback' Weigh-In results and confirmed Fight Night running order as AJ faces Prenga
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Errol Spence vs Tim Tszyu: Do or Die Down Under
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Jul 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.