Philippines, 12 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MATEO HANDIG SINGWANCHA BECOMES MANDATORY CHALLENGER TO MEXICAN IBF WORLD CHAMP MARIO "DRAGONCITO" RODR?GUEZ


PhilBoxing.com




After his razor thin 12-round split decision win over experienced Japanese two-time world champion Katsunari Takayama to capture the IBF Pan Pacific Title last Saturday night in Benguet, Philippines, "The Warai Warror" Mateo Handig Singwancha of the Philippines (left in the photo), has been confirmed as the mandatory challenger to the newly crowned IBF Mini Flyweight World Champion Mario "Dragoncito" Rodr?guez of Sinaloa, M?xico.

However, the now world's #1 Mateo Handig Singwancha (13-5, 7KO's), who hails from the paradisaical Northern Samar, will not be required by the IBF to immediately defend his newly acquired Pan-Pacific (105 lbs/ 47.62 kgs) title.

Instead, Handig and his managers Filipino Brico Santig and Thai businessman Naris Singwancha are required to wait till early January when negotiations with the Mexican world champion team can begin, indicated from New Jersey American Lindsey E. Tucker, Jr., IBF/USBA Championship Chairman:

"Normally, you (Mateo Handig Singwancha) would be expected to defend the (Pan-Pacific) Title against a credible opponent within 6 months. However, since you are now the IBF #1 Mini Flyweight, you don?t have to defend the Title now. You will be notified on January 1, 2013 to start negotiations with IBF Mini Flyweight Champion Mario Rodriguez for his mandatory defense," informed Lindsey Tucker.

The IBF Mini Flyweight (108 lbs) World Champion Mario "Dragoncito" Rodr?guez (15-6-4, 11KO's) claimed the prestigious Red/Golden world title belt by knocking out the previously unbeaten champ Nkosinathi Joyi (22-1, 15KO's) of Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The ever dangerous Joyi began dominating the rumble with Dragoncito by using his excellent boxing skills, but quickly ran out of gas. That was bad. The younger Rodr?guez then took control pummeling his opponent's body, finally dropping the brave South African during the vicious action of round 7.

Joyi, who had taken some serious blows, could not get up from canvas of the municipal gym in Guasave, Sinaloa M?xico. At the 2:07 mark American referee Pete Podgorski "The Polish Hammer" of Chicago declared the effective KO, and a jubilant "Dragoncito" became the new IBF world Minimumweight world champ.

The 23 year-old Filipino mandatory challenger Mateo Handig Singwancha fights under the Highland Boxing of Filipino Brico Santig (the current WBC Asian promoter of the year) and Thailand's boxing patron Naris Singwancha; while world champion Mario "Dragoncito" Rodr?guez has been jointly promoted by Promociones del Pueblo, HG Boxing, Boxeo de Gala and BOX LATINO (the promotion company of Erik "El Terrible" Morales).


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
    , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 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.