TWO JAPAN-BASED FILIPINOS FIGHT FOR OPBF TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 19 Jun 2011
Two Japan-based Filipino boxers will fight for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight title just recently vacated by another Filipino, former world flyweight champion Malcolm Tunacao.
The OPBF reported that No.1 ranked Jerope Mercado of Cagayan de Oro who fights under the name of Zerofit Jerioe Zuiyama and lives in Kobe, Japan will face No. 3 ranked Rolly Lunas who fights under the name Rolly Matsushita for the vacant title in Kobe on July 31.
Lunas fights out of Ishikawa, Japan and is the former OPBF super bantamweight title having won the belt with a split decision over Thailand?s Wethya Sakmuangklang on January 11, 2009 before losing by a 7th round knockout to Hiromasa Ohashi on June 21, 2009.
The 27 year old Lunas has a record of 28-8-1 with 16 knockouts while the 31 year old Mercado sports a record of 23-1-3 with 8 knockouts.
Mercado is coming off a eight round split decision over Takahiro Yamamoto last March 27.
Lunas on the other hand won his last fight against Rasmanudin of Indonesia by a 5th round knockout.
There was no word on why Tunacao relinquished the OPBF 118 pound title.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxlab 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 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026