Pinoy fighters to watch
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 05 Jan 2024
Among the 26 Filipino fighters rated in the top 10 by the four major world boxing governing bodies, five promising title prospects stand out. They are IBF No. 7 superfeatherweight Charly Suarez, IBF No. 4/WBO No. 8 superbantamweight Carl Jammes Martin. WBA No. 2/IBF No. 3/WBO No. 8 flyweight Dave Apolinario, IBF No. 6 lightflyweight/WBC No. 9 flyweight Miel Fajardo and WBO No. 6/IBF No. 9 lightflyweight Arvin Magramo.
Suarez, 35, totes a 16-0 record, with nine KOs. Martin, 24, has a 23-0 record, with 18 KOs. He’s the reigning WBO Global, IBF Pan Pacific and WBA Asia superbantamweight champion. Apolinario, 24, surrendered his lightly-regarded IBO flyweight title to campaign for bigger game and boasts a 19-0 mark, with 13 KOs. Fajardo, 23, brings an 11-1-2 record, with 10 KOs including five in the first round. Magramo, 27, brandishes a 17-1-1 record, with 11 KOs and is undefeated in his last nine outings.
None of the five has fought in a WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO championship bout. If they continue their winning ways, a title shot should be coming sooner than later. Since the list names promising prospects, it doesn’t include former world champions who’re making a bid to win another belt. The former world titlists in the top 10 ratings are Mark Magsayo, Marlon Tapales, JohnRiel Casimero, Jerwin Ancajas, Vic Saludar, Pedro Taduran and Melvin Jerusalem.
Suarez is a late bloomer and turned pro in 2019 at 30. His last three outings were held in Vietnam, Australia and the US. Suarez’ biggest win was a 12th round technical knockout over previously unbeaten Paul Fleming in Sydney last March. Five months later, Suarez made his US debut and outpointed Yohan Vasquez in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Suarez’ dream is to challenge IBF superfeatherweight ruler Joe Cordina, the Welshman who scored a disputed split decision over the Filipino in the 2016 Olympics.
Martin, nicknamed the Wonder Boy, turned pro in 2016 at 16 and has never fought overseas although his last four victims were foreigners. Three weeks ago, he stopped Thailand’s Chaiwat Buatkrathok at 0:32 of the sixth in the Elorde Sports Complex. There are plans to bring Martin to the US where he hopes to become the next Pinoy big thing.
Apolinario is unbeaten like Suarez and Martin. In July 2022, he stopped Gideon Buthelezi in the first round to claim the IBO flyweight title in South Africa. Apolinario later relinquished the crown. He signed a promotional contract with Japanese Hideyuki Ohashi who manages Naoya Inoue last year. Fajardo is the reigning OPBF lightflyweight and Asian Boxing Federation flyweight champion. Three of his wins came in China, one in Dubai and another in Bangkok. Magramo’s older brother Giemel lost in a bid for the WBO flyweight crown in 2020 and now, it’s his turn to make his mark as a world contender. Magramo’s father Melvin was a pro fighter from 1990 to 2003 and battled Manny Pacquiao in a hard-fought bout that went the distance in 1997.
Photo (clockwise): Charly Suarez, Carl Jammes Martin, Arvin Magramo, Miel Fajardo and Dave Apolinario.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025FIDE Rated Chess Tournament Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ONCE AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 07 Nov 2025NBA Reportedly Met with Congress Regarding Gambling Issues
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 07 Nov 2025IM Dableo and IM Banawa Headline 17th Kamatyas FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 07 Nov 2025VERGIL ORTIZ VS ERICKSON LUBIN FINAL PRESSCON QUOTES
Fri, 07 Nov 2025WBC maintains protection of women's boxing with 2-minute rounds
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 07 Nov 2025Muntinlupa tops Sambo demo
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 07 Nov 2025