7 Pinoys in line for title bids

Seven Filipino fighters are next in line for a mandatory world title shot as the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO released their ratings last Friday showing bantamweights Nonito Donaire, Jr. (WBC), Raymart Gaballo (WBA) and Michael Dasmariñas (IBF), flyweight Giemel Magramo (WBO) and minimumweight Melvin Jerusalem (WBC) ranked No. 1 and flyweight Jayson Mama and minimumweight Rene Mark Cuarto No. 3 by the IBF with the top two slots vacant in their divisions.

In all, there were 28 Filipinos in the top 10 of the four governing boxing bodies. The IBF listed 14 while the WBO and WBC, nine each and the WBA, three. Seven fighters were rated by multiple organizations – featherweight Mark Magsayo (No. 4 IBF, No. 5 WBC), Gaballo (No. 1 WBA, No. 6 IBF), Dasmariñas (No. 1 IBF, No. 6 WBO), Mama (No. 3 IBF, No. 9 WBO), Jerusalem (No. 1 WBC, No. 4 IBF, No. 5 WBO), minimumweight Vic Saludar (No. 2 WBO, No. 7 WBA) and Cuarto (No. 3 IBF, No. 9 WBO). The reigning Filipino world champions are Sen. Manny Pacquiao (super WBA welterweight), JohnRiel Casimero (WBO bantamweight), Jerwin Ancajas (IBF superflyweight) and Pedro Taduran (IBF minimumweight). 

Magramo, 25, was slated to take on Japan’s Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO flyweight throne in Tokyo last April 4 but the bout has been reset to June 6 with no confirmation it will push through. Donaire, 37, has been named WBC bantamweight ruler Nordine Oubaali’s next challenger with Los Angeles promoter Tom Brown winning the purse bid to stage the contest. The coronavirus crisis has put the match on hold.

Another Filipino fighter Marco John Rementizo was to meet WBC minimumweight titlist Wanheng Menayothin of Thailand in Palm Springs, California, on April 25. Rementizo, 21, is ranked No. 8 by the WBC. The fight has also been postponed indefinitely. Wanheng, 34, has a 54-0 slate, with 18 KOs and holds the record for most wins in an unbeaten career as a reigning world champion. His mark overshadows what Ricardo Lopez (51-0-1), Rocky Marciano (49-0), Floyd Mayweather (50-0) and Joe Calzaghe (46-0) accomplished. 

Jerusalem, 26, deserves another crack at the crown. In 2017, he challenged Wanheng who escaped with a narrow unanimous 12-round decision in Thailand. A point deduction for a low blow was slapped on Jersualem and if not for the penalty, the outcome would’ve been a majority draw. A similar situation blemished Magramo’s record. In 2016, Magramo lost to Muhammad Waseem on a unanimous 12-round decision but if not for a point deduction due to an accidental headbutt, it would’ve been a majority draw. The setback is the only stain in Magramo’s record of 24-1, with 20 KOs.

Dasmariñas, 27, is ripe for a shot. The 5-7 southpaw from Camarines Sur is a former IBO bantamweight champion with a 30-2-1 record, including 20 KOs. He’s unbeaten in his last 13 outings. Gaballo, 23, is an explosive 5-6 banger from J. C. Manangquil’s Sanman stable. He boasts a frightening record of 23-0, with 20 KOs, including 12 in the first round. Gaballo has fought thrice in the US so he’s no stranger to American rings.

Cuarto, 23, and Mama, 22, are a whiff away from a title bid. They’re both ranked No. 3 in their divisions by the IBF but the No. 1 and No. 2 slots are vacant. Cuarto has lost only once in his last 18 fights and totes an 18-2-2 record, with 11 KOs. Mama is unbeaten with a 15-0 mark, including 8 KOs. Last year, he won the IBF Silk Road flyweight title in Beijing and got a boost in the IBF ratings.

Other Filipinos in the top 10 world rankings are Marlon Tapales (No. 4 IBF), Albert Pagara (No. 6 WBO) and Mike Plania (No. 10 WBA) in the superbantamweight division, Vincent Astrolabio (No. 10 WBO) in the bantamweight division, Donnie Nietes (No. 5 WBC) and Jade Bornea (No. 7 IBF) in the superflyweight division, Genesis Libranza (No. 6 IBF), Jay-R Raquinel (No. 9 WBC), Dave Apolinario (No. 10 WBA) and Jonathan Taconing (No. 10 WBC) in the flyweight division, Ivan Soriano (No. 5 IBF), Milan Melindo (No. 7 WBC), Jaysever Abcede (No. 9 WBC), Christian Araneta (No. 9 IBF) and Edward Heno (No. 9 WBO) in the lightflyweight division and Robert Paradero (No. 6 IBF), Samuel Salva (No. 7 IBF) and Lito Dante (No. 8 IBF) in the minimumweight division.