Philippines, 22 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


IBF: CASIMERO'S MANDATORY CHALLENGER TO BE DECIDED BETWEEN MEXICAN "COBRA" MENDOZA AND "PAN BLANCO" R?OS OF PANAMA


PhilBoxing.com




In an official letter dated August 8, 2012, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) advised that the mandatory challenger for IBF light flyweight world champion Filipino Johnriel Casimero would be decided from the eliminator fight between the highest ranked fighters in the division, Mexican Javier "La Cobra" Mendoza (left) and Luis Alberto "Pan Blanco" R?os of Panama.

The official document signed by Lindsey E. Tucker, Jr., IBF Championships Chairman, addressed to the managers of the fighters states as follows:

"#3 Luis Alberto R?os (of Panama) and #4 Javier Mendoza (of M?xico) are the two highest ranked available contenders in the IBF Jr. Flyweight division. In an effort to determine who the mandatory challenger will be, the IBF is ordering that an elimination bout should be held between R?os and Mendoza for the number 1 position. The winner will become #1 and the mandatory challenger (of world champion Johnriel Casimero)."

Therefore, "La Cobra" Mendoza (19-2-1, 16KO's) of Tijuana, a prot?g? of legendary fighter Eric "El Terrible" Morales, and Panamanian Luis "Pan Blanco" Rios (17-1-1, 12KO's), handled by Panama's top boxing promotion company Promociones y Eventos del Istmo, will be taking part in the eliminatory bout and negotiations between both camps are already underway.

Mendoza, who won the WBC Continental Americas light flyweight (108 lbs) last February, comes from a last week's victory over fellow Mexican Christian Aguilar in Mazatl?n. "La Cobra" has won his last six fights by way of knock out.

Meanwhile, the 22 year-old Panamanian "Pan Blanco" Rios, who has also won his last six fights by way of knock out, is the current WBC Latino champion, title that he captured by knocking out Colombian Luis Carrillo last April at the Roberto Dur?n Arena in Ciudad de Panam?.

"La Cobra" Mendoza and "Pan Blanco" R?os have only fought in their respective countries. The date and place of their eliminator combat is being decided.

Regarding this important development in the career of Johnriel Casimero (17-2, 10KO's), well-respected analyst Dong Secuya, the creator of PhilBoxing.com, commented to this author:

"Casimero was very recently elevated to world champion and just last week made his first title defense. His title was earned under very difficult circumstances in Argentina. So I wonder why so much rush to impose a 'mandatory challenger' on him?"


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • “Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 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.