Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 31 May 2026
The 41st International Boxing Federation (IBF) Annual Convention in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, marked a historic milestone for Asian boxing officials during its Board of Directors election. Five candidates competed for three available seats, including incumbent board members Melvina Lathan and Randy Neumann, alongside referees Zach Young and Danrex Tapdasan, and matchmaker Hagen Doering.
After all members had cast their ballots, incumbents Melvina Lathan and Randy Neumann successfully retained their positions, securing 35 and 34 votes, respectively. Shaking up the leadership, however, was the lone Filipino candidate, **Atty. Danrex Tapdasan**, who made history by topping the entire ballot with an overwhelming 51 out of 59 total votes cast to secure the third and final board seat. Tapdasan is the first-ever Filipino ring official to be elected to the IBF Board of Directors.
Tapdasan brings a highly unique pedigree to the IBF leadership. By weekday, the 48-year-old is a practicing litigation attorney and law professor in the Philippines. He completed his law degree at San Beda University in 2003 and passed the Bar Examinations on his first attempt. What started in 2009 as a weekend passion to escape the stress of intense courtroom litigation quickly evolved into a world-class officiating career.
Over nearly two decades, Tapdasan has grown into one of the most respected and recognized ring officials in international boxing, regularly traveling across the globe to oversee high-stakes matchups.
As a referee, he officiated in over 570 professional bouts, 20 world championships and 44 regional titles. He sat as a judge in over 500 professional bouts, 28 world championships and 74 regional titles. He's been a regular speaker in IBF referees and judges seminars as well as in the Philippines' boxing circuit.
"As the first ever Filipino elected to the Board, I carry this responsibility with great pride, humility, and commitment," Tapdasan stated following his victory. "I remain dedicated to promoting integrity in officiating, education and development of boxing officials, and unity within the global boxing community."
In his new capacity on the IBF Board, Tapdasan will transition from enforcing fair play inside the ropes to directly helping oversee the administration, regulation, and global policy direction of one of professional boxing's four major sanctioning bodies.
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