Philippines, 16 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Malcolm Tunacao to fight for WBC bantam eliminator in December


PhilBoxing.com




WBC number 2 rated bantamweight challenger Malcolm "Eagle Eye" Tunacao will square off against number 4 ranked Christian Esquivel of Mexico in Kobe Japan.

The Mandaue City born boxer who is now based in Japan confirmed the fight with this Philboxing writer last night.

The fight is scheduled for December 22, 2012 at the Chuuou Taiikukan Gymasium in Kobe and the winner will be next in line to challenge current WBC Bantamweight champion, Shinsuke Yamanaka of Tokyo, Japan.

"Tumawag kanina yung manager ko, ok na daw. Mag conference kami bukas." said Tunacao (My manager called me earlier and informed me that the fight is on. We will have a press conference tomorrow.)

Tunacao belongs to the Shinsie Gym Promotion of Kobe and is being managed and trained by Masato Yamashita.

The top rated Filipino fighter said that the number 1 and number 3 ranked bantamweights of the organization declined the fight and it was the 26 year old Esquivel who agreed to the conditions of the match.

Esquivel, from Temoaya, Mexico has a record of 25-3 (18 KOs) and won the vacant NABF title when he decisioned fellow Mexican fighter, Jesus Ruiz last April.

This won't be Esquivel's first venture to the Land of the Rising Sun. He challenged Yamanaka last year for the then vacant belt in Tokyo and lost via a 11th round TKO in the hands of the hometown fighter.

Meantime, the veteran Filipino pug is enjoying a ten fight winning streak and is undefeated in the last four and a half years. Tunacao is fresh from an eight round UD victory over Martin Mubiru of Uganda last September 15th in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. The Cebuano holds a record of 31-2-3 (19 KOs) and is once the holder of the WBC Flyweight crown.

"Excited ako, kasi it's been 11 years na hindi nakalaban ng world title." (I am excited because I haven't fought for a world title in 11 years.) Tunacao said.

"Eliminator itong paglalababanan namin, title fight na pagkatapos." (This is an eliminator, it will be a title fight after this.) he added.

Tunacao said that he's been watching clips of Esquivel's previous fight against Yamanaka and he thinks he can defeat the Mexican

"Magaling din siya, pero kayang- kaya natin," he disclosed.
(He's good but I can handle him.)

Tunacao states that he will do his best to train and win this fight. He thanked the many Filipinos who like him are based in Japan who come and support him whenever he fights there.

"Marami tayong mga kaibigan dito sir, mga Pinoy at nagpasasalamat ako sa kanilang lahat sa walang awang suporta nila sa akin," Tunacao mentioned.
(We have plenty of Filipino friends here and I thank them for their unwavering support.)

"Gagawin ko lahat hangat saan ko makakaya para maipanalo ang laban na ito," he promised.
(I will do everything I can to win this fight.)

You can reach the author at < href="mailto:rrmaze24@aol.com">rrmaze24@aol.com for any reaction to this article.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 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




  •  



     
    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.