Filipinos Paciones, Refugio, Abdulhamid, Sanchez Make Weight for WBA Asia Wars in Vietnam
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Aug 2023
Filipino boxers Arvin Jhon "AJ" Paciones, Jonathan Refugio, Adam Diu Abdulhamid, and Ernie Sanchez successfully made weight for their respective WBA Asia fights unfolding Sunday in Vietnam.
In one of the hottest encounters, young AJ Paciones (4-0, 3 KO's) of Cebu, and fellow Filipino Jonathan Refugio (22-9-5, 8 KO's), of Bukidnon successfully made weight ahead of their 12-round rumble for the vacant WBA Asia Light Flyweight crown Sunday, August 20, at the plush Saigon Sports Club in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
This intense all-Pinoy war pits the taller, younger 18-year-old AJ Paciones (4-0, 3 KO's), son of former fight warrior Dodong Paciones, against the more-experienced Jonathan Refugio, the 30-year-old battle tested former WBC Asia belt-holder.
Compatriots Paciones and Refugio shake hand ahead of their battle in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Will AJ Paciones be able to handle the ring-savvy Refugio in the toughest fight of life this far, to become "The New" WBA Asia Light Flyweight Champion?
Or will Jonathan Refugio, born in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, teach the teenager AJ Paciones a hard lesson in boxing?
ABDULHAMID, KURANBAEV MAKE WEIGHT FOR WBA ASIA 154 BELT IN VIETNAM
In another WBA Asia title clash, brave Gensan journeyman Adam Diu Abdulhamid (18-13, 9 KO's, on the right) swims in rough waters against taller Tajikistan warrior Avzalbek Kuranbaev (7-1-1, 5 KO's) for the WBA Asia South 154 Pounds Title.
Kuranbaev and Abdulhamid make weight in Vietnam.
Will "Big Daddy" Abdulhamid use his wider experience and knowledge of the square ring to dominate the bigger, dangerous Kuranbaev during their 10-round war?
Or will the hard-hitting Kuranbaev be the victorious one over the Gensan fighter on Sunday evening in boxing-loving Vietnam?
ERNIE SANCHEZ BATTLES UNBEATEN HONG DAT VO
In yet another WBA Asia title rumble, Zamboangueño journeyman Ernie Sanchez (21-18-2, 12 KO's), trade hard blows against undefeated young Vietnamese Hong Dat Vo (5-0, 4 KO's), a tough battle that fans in Vietnam want to witness.
Their 12-rounder for the vacant WBA Asia Lightweight Belt features the more-experienced big-heart Ernie Sanchez against the Vietnamese Young Gun Hong Dat Vo, what will happen?
MORE FIGHTS
In another melee, warriors Kellian Jacob Sisovic (1-0, ) of the Saigon Sports Club, and Indonesian Iwan Key (12-29-3, 1 KO), will get the heat on when they collide in their 6-rounder battle in the Super Lightweight Division.
In the main event, strong-looking, Vietnamese slugger The Long Trinh (4-0, 4 KO's), clashes in a scheduled 10-round battle against Chayanon Phothijun (7-3, 5 KO's) of Thailand for the WBC Asia Silver Middleweight Belt.
The exciting 12-fight show is a production of Shadow Entertainment.
May the Best Men Win!!
The author, veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 NOVEMBER 2025: Espinosa Defeats Khegai; Benn Gets Even With Eubank Jnr; Catterall Stops Essuman
By Eric Armit, Wed, 19 Nov 2025Paras to challenge Malajika for IBO World super flyweight title on Nov. 29 in South Africa
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 19 Nov 2025Lebron James is first player to play 23 seasons in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 19 Nov 2025Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres is SJDM Woodpusher Society 3X3 Rapid Chess Tournament Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 19 Nov 2025RUN IT BACK! GOLDEN BOY KICKS OFF 2026 FIGHT SCHEDULE WITH NIGHT OF HIGH STAKES REMATCHES
Wed, 19 Nov 2025Boxlab Promotions “Night of Champions XIII” Undercard Bouts Announced
Wed, 19 Nov 2025Porres-Narukami fight moved to Nov. 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 19 Nov 2025Rematch for the ages
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 18 Nov 2025"Limping" Boston Showing Famed Celtics Pride
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 18 Nov 2025IIEE-Trocio Engineers defeated Splashers Lawyers in the BPBL Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025ThunderDome 52 Card Preview
Tue, 18 Nov 2025Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 18 Nov 2025PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership
Tue, 18 Nov 2025Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025