Philippines, 29 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


‘CHANGO’ VARGAS UNDERGOING MEDICAL; DARCHINYAN FIRES VERBAL ASSAULT ON DONAIRE


PhilBoxing.com




LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - Manuel “Chango” Vargas is undergoing his medical tests in San Diego, California Thursday morning before flying here later today.

Vargas who has a record of 26-4-1 with 11 knockouts is a last minute substitute for hard-hitting Mexican Gerson Guerrero who was found to have a tear in his right eye retina during the pre-fight medical examination conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and was not allowed to fight.

Both Guerrero and Donaire expressed disappointment at the developments but said that's the nature of the sport. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us Guerrero would have to undergo laser surgery and rest for at least six months before returning to the ring.

The "Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury" fight card will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN over its pre-eminent Channel 2 at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday with replays on Studio 23 at 8:00 p.m. on Channel 2's "Sunday's Best" at 11:15 p.m as well as the cable channel Balls on February 16 at 4:00 p.m. anf February 18 at 9:oo p.m. p.m.

Meantime, WBA super flyweight interim champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” holds an international media conference from the Top Rank offices of promoter Bob Arum at 1:00 p.m.

Donaire who is aiming to move up in weight after hopefully winning the WBA super flyweight title told us that he is focused on making weight for Saturday’s “Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13” fight card at the Pavilion of the Hilton Hotel the same site where Leon Spinks stunned Muhammad Ali to win the world heavyweight title.

Donaire was reportedly a few pounds overweight and the cold weather in Las Vegas was not that conducive to losing weight, forcing him to diet.

In fact Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales was also some two pounds overweight but trainer Nonito Donaire Sr said he’d have no problem making the weight for the official weigh-in on Friday.

Morales is a massive underdog in the bookmakers odds in Las Vegas for his WBO bantamweight title fight against title fight against Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel.

Montiel himself told us Wednesday at a press conference that he was six pounds over the bantamweight limit but said he was used to it and would make weight.

In fact Montiel was working out in the gym last night and was all smiles even as he indicated he was looking forward to a fight with newly crowned WBO champion Jorge Arce who is also being targeted by Donaire.

Meantime, reigning WBC and WBA super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan has launched another blistering verbal assault on Donaire.

Ray Wheatley who publishes the “World of Boxing” quotes Darchinyan as saying . “The more I hear about Donaire, the more it makes me feel he should be taking up a new job, maybe he should take up a new occupation, he can take care of those in need of retirement.”

Darchinyan has been bragging about avenging his 5th round knockout by Donaire in July 2007 when “The Filipino Flash” scored a spectacular victory which was chosen as the “Knockout of the Year” in the process winning Darchinyan’s IBF and IBO flyweight titles.

Wheatley quoted Darchinyan as saying “He knows he got lucky and he wants nothing to do with fighting me. Arce is finished, he fought a bum for a vacant world title and he calls himself a champion, now Donaire wants to fight Arce. Give the fans what they want. You don’t see Manny Pacquaio fighting opponents with walking sticks. I’ve got two titles ready for you to take. You believe you’re the man? Come and be a unified champion. You can fight Arce after you fight me.”

Continuing his vicious verbal assault Darchinyan said “The problem is you’re a freshly plucked chicken ready for the oven. The fans want to see if you can be lucky a second time around. The problem is you know whats going to happen when we fight. You know you’re going to be knocked out cold. I don’t blame you for not wanting to fight me. After you fight this bum on the weekend, I am here waiting for you. You’re a fighter, act like a fighter. If not, I will get you the audition dates for the next Victoria’s Secret catalog

The article by Wheatley has raised serious questions about the propriety of an IBF official such as Wheatley writing an article in which a one-time IBF champion Darchinyan attacks another outstanding former IBF champion like Donaire.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • “It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 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.