Philippines, 14 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Philippine boxing takes some hard blows


PhilBoxing.com




As if Manny Pacquiao?s shock knockout loss to nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez in December was not enough, Philippine boxing took yet a succession of big blows that makes anyone wonder: Is the party over for Filipino professional boxers?

A week apart from each other, Filipino-American champions Brian Viloria and Nonito Donaire lost their world boxing crowns. It was capped by another loss for once very promising Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista to an unheralded Mexican foe in Davao City, a week after Donaire lost his world super bantamweight crown to Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The losses by Donaire and Viloria left only two Filipino world boxing champions ? light flyweights Donnie Nietes and Johnreil Casimiro.

The two remaining Filipino boxing champions however are yet to earn their spurs as crowd drawers. They are relatively unknown outside hardcore Filipino boxing fans.

Viloria, Donaire, Nietes and Casimiro took the bus ride provided by Pacquiao?s phenomenal and historic rise to boxing stardom.

They did not exactly gatecrash, but their also-ran gave Philippine boxing its most memorable era yet.

At no time in Philippine boxing has there been a glut of Filipino boxing champions as well as international campaigners - in a single decade.

Pacquiao made it possible for them. Everybody noticed the Filipino boxing grit as soon as Pacquiao took boxing world by storm. In turn, these boxers made good account for themselves. Some have failed. Some have limited success. Many may have failed to make the grade. But what a boxing renaissance they made.

Of those who lost their titles, Donaire and Pacquiao are most likely to make their own comebacks (Pacquiao held no title when he lost to Marquez as he lost it to Timothy Bradley via a controversial decision).

Pacquiao however has intimated his boxing days are nearly over while Donaire is still smarting from the way he was outfought by Rigondeaux, which leaves us wondering where Philippine boxing is headed to.

Pacquiao and Donaire are aberrations in that they are made of finer specimens of athletes. They got skill and longevity apart from their entertainment value.

That cannot be said of Viloria who is inconsistent at best. Nietes has been fed can tomatoes and has not really barged into the elite circle and, at 30 years old, maybe be on his downslide. The 23-year old Casimiro relies too much on his power and has already lost to Ram?n Garc?a Hirales and Moruti Mthalane, both relatively unheralded world champions. Boom-Boom Bautista is already a has-been even before he can be champion. He is said to be contemplating retirement.

Looking at the horizon, there may not be boxers who can again capture the imagination of the world boxing fans. Not in the next couple of years, at least.

Brothers Dave and Dodie Pe?alosa Jr are being groomed to become boxing stars in the future. But what exactly the future holds for them will depend on how well and how soon will they develop into elite boxers like their father and uncle Gerry Pe?alosa.

Pacquiao led the onslaught of Filipino elite boxers that gave the world some notice.

But his successive setbacks last year do not augur well for Philippine boxing judging from the quick succession of hard blows suffered by Filipino boxers.

It will be unfortunate if the fate of Philippine boxing goes along with Pacquiao?s inevitable exit, if not demise, from professional boxing.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Edwin G. Espejo.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 13 OCTOBER 2025: Ennis Wipes Out Lima; Vianello Defeats Barriere; Makhmudov Outpoits Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Omar Juarez Set for Homecoming Clash Against Omar Rosario on October 18 i
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • BLAZEN ROCILI, THE 6’3” FILIPINO GIANT, SCORES DOMINANT 2ND-ROUND TKO OVER ORLANDO SALGADO IN AURORA, COLORADO
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • YORK HALL FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE CONFIRMED AS KIERON CONWAY VOWS TO TEACH 'OVER CONFIDENT' RIVAL GEORGE LIDDARD A LESSON
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Pedro Veitia Set to Face Fellow Unbeaten Xavier Ceron on October 18 in Texas, Live on DAZN
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Jesse Espinas Victorious, New IBF Asia Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Naseem Hamed Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Kiddie Chess Tournament Goes to Farmers Plaza
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao vs. Rolly Romero in January 2026? Boxing Legend Eyes One More Run at Glory
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • 11 martial arts in BP 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • NM Medina beats Slovak GM, draws with FM Castellano to win the 8th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
    , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 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.