Philippines, 17 Mar 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:

  • Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 12-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 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.