Katsunari Takayama, Handig Singwancha Make Weight for Tomorrow's Pan-Pacific Title Clash in La Trinidad, Benguet
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 12 Oct 2012
IBF world ranked warriors, Filipino Handig Singwancha (right), and tough 29 year-old Japanese Katsunari Takayama (left) both scaled in 105 lbs (47.62 kgs), ahead of their explosive 12-round action fight for the Pan-Pacific Minimumweight title tomorrow night at the campus of Benguet State Universtity in La Trinidad, Benguet, Province, Philippines.
The referee will be the experienced international third man Mr. Bruce McTavish, who today celebrates his birthday.
Two-time world champ Katsunari Takayama (24-5, 10KO's) of Osaka, Japan came to the Philippines to battle world rated 23 year-old Filipino Mateo Handig Singwancha (12-5, 7KO's), in a rumble that will produce the new Pan-Pacific Champion and a likely challenger to the crown of IBF Minimumweight World Champion Mario "Dragoncito" Rodr?guez (15-6-4, 11KO's) of Sinaloa, M?xico.
"The IBF has granted formal sanction approval for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Mini Flyweight Championship fight between Katsunari Takayama and Mathew Handig Singwancha. The bout is scheduled for October 13, 2012 in Baguio (Benguet), Republic of the Philippines," confirmed from New Jersey American Lindsey E. Tucker, Jr., Championship Chairman IBF/USBA.
Takayama, currently rated #6 by the IBF, and Handig Singwancha #11 will battle on the campus of Banguet State University (BSU) in a production of Highland Boxing Promotions of Asian promoter of the year Brico Santig and Hayashi Boxing in association with well-known boxing patron Naris Singwancha of Thailand and the support of La Trinidad Mayor Gregorio T. Abalos Jr., and Benguet Congressman Hon. Ronald M. Cosalan.
To most accounts, the Filipino Handig, who hails from paradisaical Province of Northern Samar, hasn't battled anyone with the class and experience of Takayama who is five years his senior, but fighting in his native land of the Philippines might inspire Handig to achieve the greatest victory in his life.
According to co-promoter Brico Santig, this boxing event in La Trinidad is a fund-raising drive whose proceeds are destined to Benguet's kidney patients and the restoration of the St. James High School in the Municipality of Besao in Mountain Province razed by a terrible fire last June 2.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina
Sat, 06 Sep 2025WEIGHTS FROM LOS MOCHIS: Eduardo Nuñez - 130 Lbs., Christopher Diaz - 129.6 Lbs.
Sat, 06 Sep 2025“THE HOMECOMING” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
Sat, 06 Sep 2025‘SUGAR’ NUNEZ VS. ‘PITUFO’ DIAZ – PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Sat, 06 Sep 2025SUNDERLAND: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 06 Sep 2025USA Boxing Nabs Perfect Outing on Day One of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sat, 06 Sep 2025Kelvin Watts Charged Up for 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sat, 06 Sep 2025Legendary German Trainer Michael Timm Dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 06 Sep 20252X Olympic Champion, 4X Undisputed & 17X World Champion Claressa Shields Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo,
Sat, 06 Sep 2025Boxers swing into action
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 05 Sep 2025UBO Youth World Title Showdown: Aliya Soomro Fights Monika Singh in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Sep 2025Battle of the Hawk Season 1 Finals on September 9; offers P600,000 to the winning team while P300,000 to the losing finalist team
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 05 Sep 2025Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez Motivated for Saturday's Homecoming Against Ricky Medina
Fri, 05 Sep 2025SUNDERLAND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS McCORMACK EYES BIG WIN
Fri, 05 Sep 2025THE ROAD TO REYES CUP AND MOSCONI CUP | 2025 PLAYERS QUALIFICATION
Fri, 05 Sep 2025