
Melbourne Fight Night Heats Up with Double WBC Australasia Title Clash
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 07 Mar 2025

Melbourne's St Kilda Town Hall is set to erupt on March 8th as two highly anticipated WBC Australasia title fights headline a thrilling night of boxing. Kings of Kombat Ultratune, with the support of Sean Buckley and Hisham Hanna, are bringing fight fans a spectacle that promises explosive action and potential pathways to world-stage competition.
The main event features a thrilling clash as Karim Maatalla squares off against Joshua Francis for the coveted WBC Australasia Cruiserweight title. Both fighters are primed and ready to leave it all in the ring, with the championship belt hanging in the balance.
Adding to the excitement, Jordan Roesler will face Ali Elrich for the WBC Silver Australasia Light Heavyweight title. This bout is expected to showcase a display of power and skill, as both contenders aim to solidify their place in the division.
The event is generating significant buzz, not only for the immediate titles at stake but also for its potential impact on the future of WBC Australasia boxing. Australian Hall of Fame Promoter Peter Maniatis, speaking on the event, highlighted the impressive performance of current WBC Australasia Super Flyweight Champion, Brian Agina.
"Brian Agina was very impressive, a world-class boxer winning the WBC Australasia title. It gives Brian a regional WBC title and hopefully puts Agina in line to challenge Giemel Magramo, who has a bout in Japan with Aoi Yokoyama over 12 x 3 late March," Maniatis stated.
Maniatis also expressed a strong desire to facilitate a potential clash between Agina and Magramo. "We are willing to travel to the Philippines to make it happen, or we can invite Magramo to Australia," he added, demonstrating a commitment to securing high-profile fights.
However, should a Magramo bout not materialize, Maniatis has already identified other potential challengers for Agina. "If we cannot make the fight with Giemel Magramo, then next in line to challenge is Jayr Raquinel, as he is also a very good boxer. We would like to test Brian Agina in 2025, and there is also Reymart Tagacanao, an undefeated boxer who could match up in a WBC title bout with Agina."
The St Kilda event on March 8th serves as a crucial platform for these fighters, not just for the titles they are contesting, but also for the opportunities it could unlock. With future bouts and potential world-stage challenges on the horizon, Melbourne fight fans are in for a night of unforgettable action.
Photo: WBC Supervisor Patrick Cusick and Australian Hall of Fame promoter Peter Maniatis in Melbourne with the two WBC Australasia belts at stake for Saturday's boxing event.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026"Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Backs RP Blu Girls' Intensive Japan Training Camp Ahead of Women's Softball World Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Digos 2 Malita 70km Ultramarathon on June 20
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Jun 2026Undefeated world champion Ataev faces experienced Venezuelan puncher Uzcátegui at IBA PRO 19
Tue, 16 Jun 2026Full Fight Card Set for MF Pro’s “Pugilist Revolution” June 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
Tue, 16 Jun 2026Campbell son of Ricky Hatton confirms ring return
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 16 Jun 2026Deaño to fight for ABF super feather title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Jun 2026Former champ Andy Ruiz could return against Huggie Fury in 2026
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 16 Jun 2026Mexican legend Jackie Nava inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 15 Jun 2026Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
Sun, 14 Jun 2026THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Jun 2026