Philippines, 05 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


CASTA?ARES STAKES WBF CROWN TONIGHT


PhilBoxing.com


MANDAUE CITY--World Boxing Foundation junior welter boss Dindo Casta?ares will defend his world crown for the first time tonight in the biggest boxing event in the country this year against Australian Steven Marks at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center.


WBF king Dindo Castanares after making weight while promoter Sammy Gello-ani and WBF President Mick Croucher look on.

The busy-punching Casta?ares had won the crown with an eye-popping fourth-round stoppage over Colombian Guillermo "Pantera" Mosquera last December 14 in Auckland, New Zealand, just a few hours before Manny Pacquiao also blasted out Thai Fahsan 3k Battery back in Manila.

Yesterday, Casta?ares tipped the scales at an exact 140 lbs, while Marks came in at 139 lbs during official weigh-in supervised by no less than WBF president Mick Croucher at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu.


Australian Steven Marks flexes right after making weight, as promoter Sammy Gello-ani (left) and WBF President Mick Croucher look on.

"This will be world war. I came here to fight and win the crown. I know Casta?ares is a great fighter, but I have been sparring against middleweight Sam Soliman back in Melbourne, and I'm ready for the worst," said the challenger Marks.

Casta?ares refused to issue any prediction for the fight, but said he too has been preparing hard and plans to throw meaningful punches "starting from the first to the last round" if that's what it takes to retain his title.

Promoter Sammy "Don King" Gello-ani, who is putting up this blockbuster event with the Mandaue City government headed by Mayor Teddy Ouano, also assured fight fans that this will be an explosive fight pitting "two warriors who don't run," and fights fans will crave for an encore.

Earlier, WBF president Mick Croucher had informed that regardless of the outcome of this fight, a promoter from Australia has already pledged to hold a rematch.


GAB Chairman Eric Buhain and WBF president Mick Croucher with GAB Comish Angel Bautista and friends at the ALA Gym for the official weigh-in.

"We are putting up a giant screen outside the coliseum for those who may not be able to get tickets, and we have also put up additional lightings at the venue plus we will add more chairs for the ringside spectators," said Mandaue City Sports Development Commission chairperson Cheryl Ouano in an interview.

In the chief support, WBA Pan African champ junior fly champ Bert Batawang takes on the tough-as-nails Roberto Rubillar in a 10-round non-title tiff. Batawang is hoping a win tonight gives him a ticket to unify his title with PABA champ Vicky Tahumil of Indonesia.

In another tenner, Donnie "Ahas" Nietes takes on Elmer Muyco of the L&M Gym in an anticipated brawl, while Along Denoy trades leathers with Jun Eraham.

Rollen Del Castillo also takes on Eddie Villegas (8 rds); Robert Allanic of Cliff Smart Stable battles Rolando Baclayo (8 rds); Jojo Entor swaps mitts with Gerope Mercado over four rounds.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Youth High Performance Team Announced
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Women’s Youth High Performance Team Announced
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Michael Linde rules Pangasinan chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • Team Philippines Crowned Champions of the 2026 Predator WPA Teams World Championship
    , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for radical reform of the Olympic Movement and equal rights for athletes
    , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 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.