Philippines, 19 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


FILIPINO JOHN MARK APOLINARIO TO FACE PANAMA'S ROBERTO VASQUEZ FOR WBA TITLE


PhilBoxing.com





The Iceman vs The Spider for a World Title.

Filipino bantamweight John Mark Apolinario aka "The Iceman," (right) will have the golden opportunity to become a world champ if he defeats veteran former 2-division world champion Roberto "La Ara?a" (The Spider) V?squez of Panama in their coming clash for the vacant WBA bantamweight interim title on November 3 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

"Yes, my fighter Apolinario will fight for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight title against former world champion Roberto V?squez of Panama. We look forward to a good fight," said Filipino promoter Sammy G. Gello-ani to this author today.

Sammy Gelo-Ani, owner of the successful SGG Promotions, is also the manager and promoter of Filipino IBF minumumweight world champion John Riel Casimero (17-2, 10KO's), who last August successfully defended his crown in a razor thin split decision over Mexican Pedro Guevara in Mazatl?n, Sinaloa.

The V?squez-Apolinario WBA interim title fight will be staged as the current WBA interim champ heavy-hitter Hugo "Cuatito" Ruiz (31-1, 28KO's) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, M?xico will challenge regular Japan's WBA champion Koki Kameda (28-1, 17KO's) on December 4 in Osaka, Japan, leaving the interim title vacant.

V?squez and Apolinario are the most highly ranked WBA bantamweight fighters, being V?squez the WBA # 2 and Apolinario the WBA #3.

The WBA 'super world champion' in the 118 lbs division is Anselmo "Chemito" Moreno of Panama, who will face undefeated Mexican Abner Mares for the WBC super bantamweight crown on November 10 in a SHOWTIME card at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The 22 year-old Apolinario (17-2-1, 4KO's) born in Mindanao's Sarangani Province, comes to his fight with Vasquez after a rather bizarre win over fellow Filipino Menard Zaragosa last December in Cavite, a fight in which Apolinario's opponent surprisingly sprint as Hussain Bolt from the ring towards the toilets, an odd action that forced the referee to end the bout as a second-round retirement.

Meanwhile, the experienced and more accomplished 29-year-old Roberto "La Ara?a" Vasquez (32-5, 22KO's), gets into this title combat after two successful outings this year.

The first one, a unanimous decision victory last March over lanky Mexican Mario "Maca" Briones (22-3-1, 16KO's).

The second, a knockout win over Dominican bantamweight Geyci Lorenzo a month ago at the Coliseo Carlos 'Teo' Cruz in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The V?squez-Apolinario fight will be the co-main event of the world title match of local female boxer star, the popular and gorgeous Cecilia "La Reina" (The Queen) Comunales defending her WBA Lightweight World crown.

Fights will televised LIVE in Argentina and throughout Latin America by the sports channel TyC Sports. In Panama by RPC Televisi?n Canal 4. In Uruguay by VTV. In the Philippines AKSYON TV Channel 5.

This international card in Uruguay is a production of international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing LLC in association with well-known promoter Sammy Gello-Ani of SSG Sports Promotions of Cebu, Philippines.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Usyk Registers Career-Heaviest Weight as Dubois Looks Ready for Undisputed Rematch at Wembley
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Rodriguez vs. Cafu Unification Clash Set for Frisco, Texas; All Fighters Make Weight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • LOPEZ VS. VARGAS WEIGHTS FROM PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • “Bambol” Tolentino in Las Vegas: Supporting Filipino Athletes and Pacquiao
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Unstoppable: Team Philippines Storms Into Davis Cup Finals After Qatar Sweep
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Stumble Against Taipei, Look to Regroup vs. Hong Kong
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Fighting for clean sweep
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • WBA No. 2 Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Is Ready to Take on World Champion Kubrat Pulev; All Systems Go for Purse Bid Winner Don King
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Weights from Panama City; WBA Women's Interim Superfly Title at Stake
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated prospect Pryce Taylor Working hard to join Brooklyn’s Elite list of top heavyweight boxers
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Justin Goossen-Brown Set to Make DAZN Broadcasting Debut This Friday at Boxlab Promotions’ Night of Champions in Orlando
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Davis Cup Team Sweeps Kuwait to Stay Unbeaten in Group IV
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Promises Surprise Against Barrios
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • PACQUIAO VS. BARRIOS UNDERCARD MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Rosaupan rules Pasay rapid chess championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Fall to China in Nail-Biter, Slip to 5–2 in Asia Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • The 19th Thousand Island Cup Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on August 3
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao’s Legacy in Motion: PacMan contra El Azteca
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Crush Singapore 13-0, Set Sights on China in Asia Cup Showdown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Laylo, Dableo to play in Baguio Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Shines in Final Press Conference: Can The Pacman Defeat Father Time and Barrios? (Analysis & Prediction)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • More lucrative fights await Manny Pacquiao
    By Leo Reyes, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Rumors about Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Tapales, Laurente to help Inoue against MJ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • AL BERNSTEIN, CHRISTY MARTIN AND ERIC BOTTJER TO SERVE AS ALL-STAR COMMENTARY TEAM FOR THIS FRIDAY’S ‘LOPEZ VS. VARGAS’ EVENT
    , Thu, 17 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.