Philippines, 16 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BRAVEHEART BOXERS TO SIGN UP WITH AMERICAN MANAGEMENT FIRM


PhilBoxing.com




In what is considered as the biggest management deal involving Filipino boxers, six Braveheart fighters from Mindanao are set to sign management contracts with the Florida-based VMS Management Inc. a move which will bring them across the seas to the proverbial land of milk and honey, America.

The move of the boxers, led by reigning IBO Jr. Bantamweight champion Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong, who has not fought since winning the title by first round KO in the South Africa in June last year, from the rural boxing gym in Kidapawan City to the US was finalized following consultations I made with my brothers who have helped me develop these young boys to outstanding fighters over the years.

Dapudong will sign a business management contract while the five other boxers, Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo, Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua, Ryan Rey "Pvt. Ryan" Ponteras and Roskie "Higante" Cristobal will be under a co-management agreement with VMS Management Inc of Florida-based boxing man Vinny Scolpino.

Earlier, Scolpino, who was involved in the career of Joshua Clottey, a former Manny Pacquiao foe, and former bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko, brought over to the US Braveheart boxers Glenn Porras and Jundy Maraon who have both returned to the Philippines after suffering losses in the US.

Scolpino, a businessman involved with medical supplies, however, believes that in due time he will be able to help produce a Filipino world champion.

"I am honored to be given the privilege of handling the career of these six Braveheart boxers, including a reigning world champion," Scolpino said.

Dapudong, Villanueva and Asenjo earlier had a 3-year promotional contracts with the ALA Promotions of Cebu which ended last January.

The decision to engage the services of VMS Management in handling the Braveheart boxers was made after months of inactivity.

Dapudong, whose scheduled defense of his IBO title in South Africa Nov. 9 last year was scrapped by Golden Gloves, is set to defend his IBO title end of May before moving over to the US.

From the day I picked up these boys from the rural areas of North Cotabato and Mindanao, I made a commitment to help them get a chance to work their way out of poverty through boxing.

Lately, however, I realized that I have to allow the boys to move over to America where I believe they will have a better chance to realize their dreams.

This move is most beneficial to the 19-year-old Roskie Cristobal, who at 5' 10" fights as a lightweight and has scored 7 wins with 7 KOs.

The US will be the most ideal place for Cristobal to be developed as a big fighter because there is a dearth of opponents and even sparring mates for him in the Philippines.

The Braveheart boys will train under veteran Fil-Am trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr., father of world champion Nonito Donaire Jr., who has just built a new gym in San Leandro, California.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated world champion Ataev faces experienced Venezuelan puncher Uzcátegui at IBA PRO 19
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Full Fight Card Set for MF Pro’s “Pugilist Revolution” June 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Campbell son of Ricky Hatton confirms ring return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Deaño to fight for ABF super feather title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Former champ Andy Ruiz could return against Huggie Fury in 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Mexican legend Jackie Nava inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 15 Jun 2026
  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Munsayac, Celones get FMA award
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Weigh-In Results for Sanman 101: Laurente Eyes Home Victory
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • Arleah Cassandra Sapuan of Valencia, Negros finishes ninth in Las Vegas chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 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.