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:
Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025