Philippines, 25 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MANNA FROM HEAVEN: 16 MORE ADVANCE TO THE CHINA OPEN KNOCKOUT STAGE AS THE SKIES OPEN UP OVER SHANGHAI


PhilBoxing.com


(Shanghai, China)--The thick, hazy skies finally opened up over Shanghai this afternoon, bringing with it torrential downpours and booming sounds of thunder and lightning. Inside the Shanghai Pudong Yuanshen Stadium the unmistakable sounds of the summer monsoons would surely be interpreted differently on Judgment Day here at the third annual China Open 9-Ball tournament. For some, it was manna from heaven. For others, the inclement weather spelled certain doom and gloom.

16 more players from the men?s side were counting their rainy day blessings at the conclusion of the first two sessions on day 2 of the $275,000 event. They now join the eight players from day 1 with spots in the final 32 single elimination knockout stage which begins tomorrow.

One of the happiest players in the arena this afternoon was Britain?s Scott Higgins. Playing on the losers side of his group, Higgins drew the legend, Efren Reyes of the Philippines in a do or die match for both players. It was Higgins first time to play the Hall of Famer, and the barrel chested Brit used the pressure to his advantage, buckling down for a solid 9-3 win.

?I broke and ran four times and capitalized on some of his mistakes,? a clearly excited Higgins said afterwards. ?You want to beat him because he?s a legend. But the most important thing is that I qualified for the last 32. I don?t think I?d ever want to play him for money, though.?

After handily winning his first match yesterday afternoon, Reyes lost in the evening session to Japan's Yukio Akagariyama, and with his second loss today, is now out of the tournament.

Earlier in the day Higgins' mate and countryman Darren Appleton showed he is in fine form, defeating Vietnam?s Luong Chi Duong 9-6 for a spot in the final 32. Fellow Brit Karl Boyes wasn?t so fortunate, though, as he fell to China?s Wang Can 9-8. Wang now moves to the knockout stage while Boyes has to come back for the evening session for another crack.

The USA?s Shane Van Boening won two straight so far, and with his well played 9-6 victory over Kwok Chi Ho of Chinese Taipei, he moves into the final 32.

?I?ve never won a tournament in Asia,? Van Boening said. ?I don?t know what the problem has been but I?d like to finally win one over here.?

In one of the most exciting matches from the first session Hsu Kailun of Chinese-Taipei came back against Ronnie Alcano and won 9-8 to claim a spot in the knockout stage. Alcano now has to return tonight to try again to advance. Hsu?s countryman Ko Pin Yi also advanced by the slimmest of margins with a 9-8 victory over China?s Wu Hao.

The day?s second session was devoted mostly to sudden death matches with players looking to advance from the loser?s side of their groups. The Philippines Antonio Lining played his usual calm and collected style and won 9-4 over Japan?s Lo Li Wen. Fu Jan Bo put the smile on the faces of the home town crowd as he knocked out Britain?s Daryl Peach with a 9-5 victory. The Netherlands? Neils Feijin moved through, beating former world champion Fong Pang Chao, 9-6. China?s national champion Liu Haitao moved through with a 9-6 win over the Philippines John Salazar.

Chinese-Taipei?s Zhang Yulong also claimed a spot in the final 32 with a 9-7 win over Ralf Souquet. Souquet?s first loss sets up a do or die marquee match in the evening session versus the Philippines' Francisco Bustamante. 'Busti' had earlier defeated Dang Jinhu of China 9-3. 8 more men will advance out of the men?s side this evening to complete the field of 32.

Most of the matches in the women?s event will be held in the two evening sessions. The women?s field will be cut from 48 to 16 after today?s play is completed.

The China Open 9-ball runs through Sunday, June 12. For the current brackets please visit www.wpa-pool.com and click the Live Scoring/Results link and then look for the brackets icon.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ted Lerner, WPS Media Officer.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • 125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 23 Feb 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria
    , Sun, 22 Feb 2026
  • SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026
  • Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • FLOYD MAYWEATHER UNRETIRES
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • WBC Introduces new award "WBC Main Event" world championship Chain & Pendant
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • "Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 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.