More Pinoy boxers to fight for WBO regional and world titles, says Bautista
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Nov 2007
Commissioner Angel Bautista.
Good news for Filipino boxers. Games and Amusement Board (GAB) commissioner Angel Bautista disclosed recently that more Filipino boxers will be given opportunity to fight for Asia-Pacific and even world championships under the auspices of the World Boxing Organization staring next year.
"In fact, more Filipinos are rated in the WBO and, chances are, they will fight for the regional and world titles in 2008," said Bautista.
He said WBO is "very much active in Asia especially in the Philippines." Bautista credited WBO Asia-Pacific Vice President Leon Panoncillo, Jr., a Hawaiian who speaks fluent Cebuano, for the resurgence of boxing championships in this part of the world saying "Panoncillo deserves all the awards and accolades he is reaping from boxing commissions in Asia, including the WBO which cited him for his big contribution in the promotion of boxing in our zone during the WBO convention in Puerto Rico (held last Oct. 30-Nov. 2)."
The Games and Amusement Board also awarded Panoncillo with Plaque of Recognition last Sept. 30 in Cebu City presented by Bautista.
The country already has two WBO champions--bantamweight Gerry Penalosa and minimumweight Donnie Nietes.
Popular Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista also holds the Asia-Pacific belt in the superbantamweight division.
"There will be a lot of WBO championship fights in 2008 and we are expanding in China and we are now in Macau," Panoncillo confirmed.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weights from Manila: Llover - 117.8 lbs., Concepcion - 117 lbs.
Sat, 16 Aug 2025Itauma vs Whyte: Can Whyte Weather The Storm?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 16 Aug 2025IIEE Zambasulta captures last seats in the IIEE Golden Chess and other sports
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 16 Aug 2025“Oceanside Prize Fights” WEIGHTS from Revere, MA
Sat, 16 Aug 2025Kenneth “Lover Boy” Llover and Luis “Nica” Concepcion Face Off, Ready for Exciting Action Sunday at Winford Resort Manila
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 16 Aug 2025'BATA' REYES YALIN 10-BALL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HELD IN MANDALUYONG
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 16 Aug 2025KENNETH LLOVER AND LUIS CONCEPCION PROMISE FIREWORKS AS THEY GO FACE TO FACE FOR THE FIRST TIME
Fri, 15 Aug 2025Khan, De Barbo, Ognayon, Cha, Dologuin, Dawrani in Action in Brico Santig’s Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 15 Aug 2025Capiz's veteran woodpushers join the Touchmove rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 15 Aug 2025Oleksandr Usyk perfect model for Boxing phenom Marco Romero
Fri, 15 Aug 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Set to Make Ring Return September 6 at “Thunder Showdown III”
Fri, 15 Aug 2025‘PLATINUM’ MIKE PERRY VS. JEREMY STEPHENS HEADLINES GROUND BREAKING BKFC EVENT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
Fri, 15 Aug 2025Traya now in Thailand for 'Battle of Bangkok' on Aug. 30
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 14 Aug 2025Nine National Masters join the Touchmove event
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 14 Aug 2025What's Three Pounds? The Collazo-Vayson Affair (Part II)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 14 Aug 2025