Will Cuello be the first to KO Rachman?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Sep 2010
Former IBF minimumweight champ Muhammad Rachman is now in his seventeenth year as a professional fighter. He is a hardened veteran of 75 fights (62W-8L-5D, 31 KO?s) and has never been knocked out. Filipino boxing fans are very familiar with him. Rachman made three successful defenses before he lost his world title to Florante Condes by split decision three years ago in Jakarta. He then lost to Milan Melindo last year in Cebu by unanimous decision. Rachman?s last win was in June 28, 2008, against Edrin ?The Sting? Dapudong, by ten round unanimous decision.
In his prime years as a rising prospect, the Indonesian has beaten Filipino contenders like Benjie Sorolla, Noel Tunacao and Bert Batawang. A couple of months after losing to Melindo, Rachman lost in his bid to win another world title against WBC strawweight champion Oleydong Sithsamerchai of Thailand. The Thai?s effective counterpunching neutralized the Indonesian?s aggression. Accidental headbutts twice in round seven and round eleven rendered the profusely bleeding challenger unable to continue. Oleydong won by technical decision as he was comfortably ahead on the scorecards.
Denver ?The Excitement? Cuello (21W-4L-5 D, 12 KO's) of Iloilo is young, hungry and eager to bounce back from the unfortunate disqualification loss to Juan Hernandez of Mexico. Cuello had the Mexican down in the third round but hit him again when he was on the floor. Cuello has since won against Nelson Llanos (KO7) and Arnel Tadena (TKO 4). But Cuello would like nothing more than to stop a former world champ in their WBC international 105 lb division title fight.
Cuello won the title in 2009 by 4th round TKO over Hiroshi Matsumoto of Japan. He can dispatch an opponent quickly; it took him 52 seconds to stop knock out Samuel Apuya in the Brian Viloria vs Carlos Tamara fight card last January. Can he be the first to knock out the Indonesian Rock Breaker?
Rachman, like all aging champs, could still have one good fight left inside him. He was still able to give Melindo, who is seventeen years his junior, one hell of a fight. Rachman could make things very interesting for Cuello and the boxing fans at the MSU IT Gym in Iligan City this September 25.
P.S.: Fight fans can catch the Philippine TV broadcast on GMA on the 26th.
(Photo above: Cuello (left) and Rachman)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
“It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 30 Jan 2026ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Fri, 30 Jan 2026WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
Thu, 29 Jan 2026