Philippines, 10 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PLDT-ABAP NATIONAL BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 OPENS IN MAASIN CITY


PhilBoxing.com




MAASIN CITY - The long-awaited National Boxing Championships opened Monday in this capital city of the province of Southern Leyte. It was attended by Ed Picson, the ABAP Executive Director who was with his wife Karina Picson, an AIBA-accredited jury/international technical official (ITO).

This writer welcomed the delegates and officials in behalf of the people of Maasin City. Congressman Roger Mercado of Southern Leyte also delivered an inspirational message. I cited the importance of the national sporting event to the economy of the city and in promoting its potentials including being the most peaceful city in Region 8.

Picson said that the new name for ABAP is Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines. The amateur tag was removed following AIBA's example of naming it simply International Boxing Association.

Cong. Mercado cited the unity of the city officials and provincial officials as the main reason for the successful hosting of the ABAP National Championships. This is the first national sporting event in Southern Leyte and the first national boxing championships in the entire Eastern Visayas.

Twenty four teams sent boxers which include Sorsogon, Tayabas, Zambales, La Union, and Iba-Zambales from Luzon; Mandaue, Cebu City, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Tagbilaran, Leyte, and Maasin City from the Visayas; Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, General Santos, Aglayan, Davao City, Mati, Cabadbaran, Camiguin, Sarangani, Pacman Sarangani and Balingasag. There was a total of 132 boxers entered, including lady boxers.

The winners of the first day opening preliminary bouts are Junior boys Ibones (General Santos), Jeronil Borres (Misamis Oriental), Dick Espinola (Northern Samar), Aldrin Signar (Tayabas), Fernel Gaspi (Sorsogon), Jeffrey Estella (Mandaue), Jayson Ladrillo (Leyte), and Marvin Tabamo (MisOr), Youth boys Lou Alde (GenSan), Raymart Flores (Bago), Aldren Moreno (Pacman), Ryan Torres (La Union), Leonard Bulacan (Mati), Regged Angco (Maasin), and Elite boys Marvin Esquirdo (MisOr), Genesis Libranza (Cabadbaran), Allan Refuela (Cebu) and Jolan Bunghanoy (Davao del Norte).

Dante de Castro, president of the Amateur Boxing Referees and Judges Asociation of the Philippines (ABREJAP), was impressed of the preparations of the city including a standard boxing ring, nice hotel accommodations and up-to-date meal allowances for boxers and coaches.

The highlight of the opening ceremonies wowed the full-packed City Gym as the lighting of the flame and the urn was made Olympic style, complete with pyrotechnics. Prior to the opening program, there was a short parade. Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3 national winner Maasinhon Trio sang the prayer and serenades. The ABAP officials said it was the best opening ceremonies in the history of the National Boxing Championships.

Top photo (L-R): ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson, Mayor Maloney Samaco and Congressman Roger Mercado.




Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 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.