Six Pinoy pugs in line for title cracks
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 30 Dec 2019
The year 2019 is ending with four Filipino world boxing champions----super WBA welterweight titlist Sen. Manny Pacquiao, IBF superflyweight king Jerwin Ancajas, WBO bantamweight ruler Johnriel Casimero and IBF minimumweight beltholder Pedro Taduran. But the New Year is brimming with hope for more Filipinos to reign on the throne with six No. 1 contenders in the queue for mandatory title shots.
The latest ratings show Nonito Donaire, Jr. as WBC No. 1 bantamweight, Albert Pagara as WBO No. 1 superbantamweight, Michael Dasmarinas as IBF No. 1 bantamweight, Giemel Magramo as WBO No. 1 flyweight, Melvin Jerusalem as WBC No. 1 minimumweight and Robert Paradero as WBO No. 1 minimumweight.
Donaire, 37, was recently named to challenge WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali of France with a deadline of Jan. 3 to determine date, venue and purses. Last November, he pushed Japan’s unbeaten Naoya Inoue to the limit in the World Boxing Super Series final in Saitama to unify the WBA and IBF titles and lost on points in what Boxing News of London voted the Fight of the Year. Donaire’s record is 40-6, with 26 KOs.
Pagara, 25, is coming off a first round disposal of Thailand’s Ratchanon Sawangsoda in Ormoc City last August and boasts a 32-1 record, with 23 KOs. His only loss was to Mexico’s Cesar Juarez on an eighth round TKO in San Mateo, California, in 2016. Pagara’s hurdle is WBO 122-pound champion Emanuel Navarrete who halted Filipino challenger Mig Elorde in the fourth round in Las Vegas last September.
Dasmarinas, 27, is unbeaten in his last 12 fights and has a 30-2-1 record, with 20 KOs. Inoue holds the IBF crown in his division. Magramo, 25, has won his last seven outings and is fresh from a third round stoppage of Richard Claveras in Taguig last September. He’s the only Filipino ranked in the top 10 by five major governing bodies as No. 1 by WBO, No. 3 by IBF, No. 4 by IBO, No. 5 by WBC and No. 6 by WBA. The WBO titlist in Magramo’s way is Japan’s Kosei Tanaka.
Jerusalem, 25, has a 15-2 record, with 9 KOs. In 2017, he lost a close decision to WBC minimumweight titlist Wanheng Menayothin in Thailand and if not for a point deduction due to a low blow, it would’ve ended a majority draw. Wanheng, 34, holds the record for most wins in an unblemished record by a world champion, 54-0, better than Floyd Mayweather’s mark. Paradero, 23, is ranked No. 1 by WBO, No. 7 by IBF and No. 10 by IBO in the 105-pound division and should be next in line to challenge WBO titleholder Wilfredo Mendez of Puerto Rico. Paradero’s record is 18-0, with 12 KOs.
Filipinos who lost their world titles this year were Donaire (super WBA bantamweight), Vic Saludar (WBO minimumweight) and Donnie Nietes (voluntarily relinquished WBO superflyweight crown). Nietes, 37, has not fought since winning the vacant WBO 115-pound title on a split decision over Kazuto Ioka in December last year. He’s ranked No. 2 by IBO, No. 4 by IBF and No. 6 by WBC in the superflyweight division. His record is 42-1-5, with 23 KOs. If Nietes stays active, he could fight for another world title this coming year.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 09 Apr 2026Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
Thu, 09 Apr 2026IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa
Thu, 09 Apr 2026Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Overweight Paradero cancels bout
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Biado's World 8-Ball Title Bid Ends
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 08 Apr 2026WBC Champion Lester Martinez will be honored in Guatemala Congress
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Apr 2026Full Card Announced for this Saturday, April 11, Mielnicki Jr. vs. Huerta Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
Wed, 08 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu
By Eric Armit, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Unification next for Taduran?
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 07 Apr 2026