Magsayo Improves, Ancajas Keeps and Astrolabio Makes Ring Divisional Ratings
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Mar 2022
Vincent Astrolabio.
Vincent Astrolabio raises the number of Filipino fighters in the Ring Magazine divisional ratings from nine to ten as he makes it to the so called bible of boxing's latest top ten in the loaded bantamweight class.
The main good news though are that of Mark Magsayo improving his standing at the featherweight to #2 following his WBC title win over Gary Russell Jr and Jerwin Ancajas keeping his, though down from #4 to #8, at super flyweight after losing his IBF crown to Argentine Fernando Martinez two weekends ago in Las Vegas.
Astrolabio breaks into the Ring bantamweight rankings at #9 after a stunning unanimous decision win over long time Cuban boxing legend Guillermo Rigondeaux who was removed from the list following back to back losses (the first also to a Pinoy, Johnriel Casimero in a failed world title try late last year).
Astrolabio joins countrymen, WBC champion Nonito Donaire and WBO titlist Casimero who remain #1 and #2 respectively to Ring Magazine belt holder and unified WBA-IBF champion Naoya Inoue of Japan.
Donaire is bidding to rematch with Inoue with four titles, including the Ring lineal world championship on the line while Casimero is set to defend his WBO belt against Paul Butler of the UK in Liverpool this April 22.
The other Filipinos who made the Ring divisional rankings are IBF world titleholder Rene Mark Cuarto, ex IBF titlist Pedro Taduran and deposed WBO champion Vic Saludar who also kept their #7, #8 and #9 positions at minimumweight; former WBO bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales who remained #9 at junior featherweight or super bantamweight and former multi division world champion and former WBO titlist Donnie Nietes who was next to Ancajas at #9 at super flyweight.
Cuarto is reportedly staking his belt on the line with Daniel Valladares as possible challenger while Tapales is the next mandatory challenger for the unified WBA-IBF crowns held by Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan.
As if to accentuate the quality of Magsayo's and Ancajas's opposition, the Ring likewise restores Russell in its featherweight ranking at #9 after not having him in the list for a time in recognition of his gallant though losing one-armed battle against Mark while putting Martinez in the former position of Jerwin in recognition of his upset though dominant win over the Filipino.
Meanwhile, the Ring top ten pound for pound fighters are:
1. Canelo Alvarez, Mexico
2. Oleksander Usyk, Ukraine
3. Terrence Crawford, USA
4. Naoya Inoue, Japan
5. Errol Spence, USA
6. Juan Francisco Estrada, Mexico
7 Vasily Lomachenko, Ukraine
8. Josh Taylor, UK
9. Roman Chocolatito Gonzales, Nicaragua
10. Kazuto Ioka, Japan
Chocolatito Gonzales was included in the pound for pound rating again after a brilliant one-sided win over the erstwhile undefeated WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez for the vacant WBC super flyweight regular belt. Martinez of Mexico though remained #1 at flyweight.
On the other hand, Taylor was demoted to #8 following a close title decision win over his fellow British British challenger Jack Catterall recently.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Questions Surround Tim Tszyu and Joe Joyce Returns to the Ring
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 05 Apr 2025Ancient Warriors, Modern Stage: Kun Khmer in America
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 05 Apr 2025OKC, Cleveland on Target for Season Best Marks, Record Plus 60 Wins, Sub-20 Losses
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 05 Apr 2025NM Bernardino to join 22nd BCC Open 2025 in Thailand
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 05 Apr 2025Weights Locked In for Top Rank's ESPN Boxing Showcase in Las Vegas
Sat, 05 Apr 2025“REVENGE”: SHADY GAMHOUR SEEKS PAYBACK IN REMATCH AGAINST DEVONTAE McDONALD
Sat, 05 Apr 2025Heralded Amateur Star Elijah Lugo Set To Make Pro Debut on Saturday, April 5th in Philadelphia
Sat, 05 Apr 2025Team USA Collects Three Bronze Medals on Day Four in Brazil
Sat, 05 Apr 2025Warriors Buck Pressures, Whip Lakers, 123-116
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Apr 2025May 4: Rohan Polanco-Fabian Maidana Welterweight Showdown & The Return of Emiliano Fernando Vargas Added to Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas ESPN+-Streamed Undercard at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Richard Torrez Jr. and Guido Vianello Ready to Trade Leather in Las Vegas Heavyweight Headliner
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Avoided Kingsley Ibeh Demands his Seat at The Heavyweight Table
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect Alex Bray Signs Promotional Agreement with Boxlab Promotions
Fri, 04 Apr 2025PRE-SALE TICKETS FOR THE 2025 US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP AVAILABLE FROM 14 APRIL
Fri, 04 Apr 2025