MATEO HANDIG HEADS TO M?XICO FOR IBF WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 03 Jun 2013
In a Canelo Alvarez Boxing Promotions event, Filipino IBF #1 world-ranked Mateo Handig (13-5-0, 7KO) of Samar (LEFT), will battle Mexican former WBC Silver Champion G?nigan "El Zurdo" L?pez (22-5-0, 15KO) in an 12-rounder IBF Minimumweight eliminator on June 29 in Ciudad de M?xico.
The winner becomes mandatory world title challenger of IBF Minimumweight world champion Katsunari Takayama (26-6, 10 KO's) of Osaka, Japan, whom Mateo Handig defeated in a razor thin split decision clash last October in La Trinidad, Philippines.
In May of last year, the 31-year-old Mexican southpaw G?nigan L?pez was pulverized in two rounds by outstanding Filipino Denver Cuello (33-4-6, 21 KO's) in Guanajuato, M?xico.
But G?nigan has bounced back with two straight wins, the most recent a knockout victory over unheralded fellow Mexican Josue Vega last January.
Will the 23-year-old "Warai Warrior" Mateo Handig be able to knock out G?nigan L?pez in M?xico, the same way compatriot Denver Cuello did last year?
Or will the tough and serious G?nigan make Handig pay for the severe beating up handed to him by Cuello? (see photos)
The victorious in the G?nigan-Handig clash will will go on to dispute the IBF world title to the Japanese world champion Takayama, while the defeated will go back to the drawing board.
Fight contracts for the G?nigan-Handig have already been signed by Mexican matchmaker Eddy Reynoso of Canelo Promotions, fighter Mateo Handig and WBC Asian Promoter of the year Brico Santig of Highland Boxing of Baguio, Philippines.
Filipinos Cayetano "Jun" Gandeza Jr. of Kambal Kamao Boxing Promotions of Batangas and Brico Santig of Highland Boxing in Benguet will accompany Mateo Handig in the important combat in land of M?xico.
The G?nigan-Handig clash for the IBF Minimumweight Eliminator is a presentation of Canelo Promotions, Boxeo de Gala and Grupo Modelo and will broadcast live by Televisa.
Photos of the Cuello-G?nigan fight (below) courtesy of Canelo Promotions
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