Three for the road
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Jul 2024
L-R: Astrolabio, Taduran and Apolinario.
WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem is the only Filipino reigning world boxing titlist at the moment but three countrymen are out to join him in the firmament with Vincent Astrolabio gunning for the WBC bantamweight throne in Tokyo on July 20, Pedro Taduran seeking to regain the IBF minimumweight crown in Shiga, east of Kyoto, on July 28 and Dave Apolinario hoping to snatch the vacant IBF flyweight strap in Mexico City on Aug. 9.
So far, the report card on Filipino boxers in world title fights this year shows one win and two losses with Jerusalem the only survivor, bagging the WBC 105-pound belt via a split 12-round decision over Yudai Shigeoka in Tokyo last March. The losers were Jerwin Ancajas who bowed to Takuma Inoue on a ninth round stoppage for the WBA bantamweight throne in Tokyo last February and Jake Amparo who was halted in two rounds by IBF minimumweight ruler Ginjiro Shigeoka in Tokyo last March.
Astrolabio, 27, has a puncher’s chance against defending WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani but it won’t be easy bringing down the unbeaten Japanese who totes a 27-0 record, including 20 KOs. Nakatani, 26, has knocked out every Filipino he has faced----Joenil Borres, Joel Taduran, Dexter Alimento, Philip Cuerdo, Milan Melindo and Giemel Magramo. Astrolabio, the No. 1 contender, is coming off an 11th round disposal of Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai in Bangkok last August. Astrolabio’s biggest wins were a decision over Cuba’s Guillermo Rigondeaux in Dubai and a sixth round stoppage of Russia’s Nikolai Potapov in Las Vegas. His record is 19-4, with 14 KOs.
Taduran, 27, is up against Shigeoka in a battle of southpaws. Shigeoka, 24, has an 11-0 record, with nine KOs while Taduran checks in with a 16-4-1 slate, including 12 KOs. Taduran lost the IBF title to countryman Rene Mark Cuarto in his second defense in 2021 and has waited patiently for a chance to get back the strap. He outpointed Amparo in a 12-rounder last December to reestablish himself as the No. 1 contender.
Apolinario, 25, will go for broke against Angel Ayala, 24, in what is expected to be an all-out war. Apolinario has a 20-0 record with 14 KOs while Ayala is 17-0 with seven KOs. Zanfer Promotions of Mexico put in a bid of $250,500 to land the hosting rights and will pay Apolinario a purse of $125,250.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024