MAGBANUA BATTLES MEXICAN FOR WBO ORIENTAL TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 15 Jan 2009
Manbanua.
Undefeated Rolando Magbanua battles Mexico?s Jose Angel Cota for the WBO Oriental bantamweight title on February 21 in Cebu City while stable-mate Judy Maraon takes on Jason Egera for the WBO Asia Pacific version of the 118 pound title.
Titled ?Battle of the Bantamweights? the promotion of Cotabato vice governor Manny Pinol may feature WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa in a tune-up fight before his planned title shot at WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel ?Juanma? Lopez in April.
Penalosa?s manager Billy Keane indicated that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer were close to finalizing a deal for the title fight and that he was looking to get a fairly easy opponent for a tune-up fight for Penalosa on February 21.
However, Keane said WBO president Francisco ?Paco? Valcarcel will not allow Penalosa to figure in a tune-up fight unless he first sees a signed contract for the Lopez fight.
The WBO earlier postponed the purse bid set for January 12 for Penalosa?s mandatory title defense against Puerto Rico?s former WBA flyweight champion Erik Morel because of Penalosa?s plan to move up and fight ?Juanma? Lopez at 122 pounds.
Keane at the same time said indications are Valcarcel will not approve an interim title fight between Morel and WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico and would probably choose a less formidable opponent.
Magbanua who has a record of 11-0 with 6 knockouts according to boxrec.com and is nicknamed ?Smooth Operator? will take on Cota who has a record of 8-3 with 6 knockouts.
Although Cota scored a first round KO in his last fight his opponent Alejandro Padilla had a miserable record of only 2 wins against 16 defeats and 2 draws with 1 knockout.
What is expected to be a thriller is the clash between undefeated 23 year old Jundy Maraon who boasts of a record of 12-0-1 with 9 knockouts against Jason Egera who sports a slate of 10-2 with 5 knockouts and is coming off a 7th round TKO of Thailand?s Pichitchok Singmanasak last July 8.
Maraon on the other hand won a ten round unanimous decision over Ruben Santillanosa who has suffered 4 losses and 1 first round technical draw against Reman Salim in 2008 and has a woeful record of 8 wins as against 20 losses and 2 draws with 5 knockouts to his name.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026