Philippines, 09 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


TUNACAO DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN TOKYO TODAY


PhilBoxing.com


Reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion and WBC no. 4 contender Malcolm Tunacao defends hist title today against Japan-based compatriot Rolly (Lunas) Matsushita in a 12-round encounter at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Both Tunacao and Lunas are managed by Japanese boxing managers who have guided them back into the world-title contenders.

At yesterday's weigh-in held at the Japan Boxing Commission office, both Tunacao and Matsushita came in at 117.6 lbs in advance of today's title showdown.

On the undercard, two other Filipino fighters see action as RP bantam boss Michael Domingo takes on local boy Kazuyuki Ichikawa in a 6-round non-title duel, while highly-rated Michael Farenas battles another Japanese Takuro Matsubara in a 4-round dukeout.

Tunacao sparred more than 100 rounds at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu in preparation for this fight, while Lunas did his gym work at the Kashimi Boxing Gym in Japan, where he logged in some 85 rounds under Japanese trainer Mack Kurihara.

"I did my assignment at the gym, and I came prepared for Lunas. I cannot afford to lose as I am looking forward to challenging the WBC champion," Tunacao said before leaving for Japan early this week.

Matsushita, for his part, maintains that he has never been in better shape going into a fight and that he is putting all his focus on dethroning the talented Filipino southpaw Tunacao.

"I have already logged in 85 rounds of sparring under my trainer Miyaki 'Mack' Kurihara," informed Matsushita, the former PABA flyweight champion, in a long-distance interview.

To prepare for Tunacao, Matsushita said he has been sparring against Benedict Suico and Jun Talape, who are both fighters belonging to the Wakee Salud Gym.

Suico and Talape had been especially commissioned to help Lunas defeat Tunacao. Both fighters are slated to return to the country on January 14, the day after the fight.

"With this fight, I want to give honor to my sponsor the Matsushita company," added Lunas, who said that more than 30 branches of the Matsushita group will be rooting for him come fight night.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
    , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • "THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
    By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 May 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.