Four Pinoys in line for title shots

MANILA, Philippines — Four No. 1 contenders are in line for mandatory title cracks as the year 2025 ended with 25 Filipinos ranked among the top 15 fighters by WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO. The four are WBC superfeatherweight Mark Magsayo, WBO superfeatherweight Charly Suarez, WBA bantamweight Nonito Donaire Jr. and WBC minimumweight Joey Canoy.

Only three were ranked by all four governing bodies – minimumweights Canoy (WBC No. 1, WBO No. 6, IBF No. 8, WBA No. 9), Vic Saludar (WBO No. 2, WBA No. 5, WBC No. 7, IBF No. 11) and Joseph Sumabong (WBC No. 6, WBO No. 9, WBA No. 10, IBF No. 14). Ten were on the top three list – Magsayo, Suarez, Donaire, Canoy, Saludar, Carl Jammes Martin (WBO No. 2 superbantamweight), Marlon Tapales (WBC/WBO No. 3 superbantamweight), Christian Araneta (IBF No. 3 lightflyweight), Kenneth Llover (IBF No. 3 bantamweight) and Regie Suganob (WBO No. 3 lightflyweight).

Among the 25 rated fighters, six are undefeated – Suarez, 37 (18-0, 10 KOs), Martin, 26 (27-0, 20 KOs), Llover, 23 (17-0, 12 KOs), IBF No. 9 flyweight Roderick Bautista, 21 (8-0, 6 KOs), WBO No. 9/WBC No. 14, IBF No. 15 flyweight Arvin Jhon Paciones, 20 (12-0, 7 KOs) and WBC No. 10/WBA No. 11/WBO No. 13 minimumweight Ian Abne, 26 (12-0-2, 4 KOs).

There were eight world title bouts involving Filipinos last year. The country’s two reigning world titlists turned back two challengers each to account for four wins. WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem decisioned Yudai Shigeoka and Siyakholwa Kuse while IBF minimumweight ruler Pedro Taduran outpointed Ginjiro Shigeoka and countryman Christian Balunan. Suffering losses were Donaire on a disputed split verdict to Seiya Tsutsumi in a WBA bantamweight title bout and Jayson Vayson who was stopped by WBO/WBA minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo. Suarez’ fight against WBO superfeatherweight titlist Emanuel Navarrete was declared a no-contest and Manny Pacquiao was held to a majority draw by WBC welterweight king Mario Barrios.