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:
Simona Winkler, Salim Ellis-Bey and Noelle Haro Advance to Medal Rounds At 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Sun, 26 Apr 2026Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Pero vs Miller: Heavies Collide in Prove it fight on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov Stops Usmonov in Russia, Claims IBF No. 2 Spot at Lightweight
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Yeow Ming to fight in Bangkok for ABF title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 25 Apr 2026MILLER VS. PERO - WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
Sat, 25 Apr 2026IBA Pro Champions Night to feature world champions in Saint Petersburg
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Noelle Haro and Marie Rosendo Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Four of 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Bautista to face Dulayba at Okada on April 30
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 25 Apr 2026LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026