Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Pumicpic to challenge for Iwasa?s OPBF belt and break into WBC?s rankings

By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Feb 2014



Bantamweight prospect Richard ?The Beast? Pumicpic of Zamboanga del Norte will travel to The Land of the Rising Sun next month to battle Ryosuke Iwasa for the Japanese fighter?s Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation 118 pound belt.

Pumicpic originally from the province of Zamboanga del Norte is slated to fight Chiba, Japan?s Iwasa on March 25 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Iwasa, 24, has a record of 16 wins against 1 loss, with 10 of his wins by knockout. He is the number 1 ranked challenger in the bantamweight division of the World Boxing Council (W.B.C.). The current WBC 118 pound belt is held by his countryman, Shinsuke Yamanaka of Tokyo.

Pumicpic, 23, carries a record of 14 wins, 5 losses and 2 draws, 5 of his wins are by stoppages. He is also ranked in the WBC, but is far number 32 in its current rankings.

Pumicpic is not only hoping to grab Iwasa?s belt but is also looking to improve his ranking in the W.B.C. if he wins over his Japanese opponent. His manager, Anson Tiu-Co of MAG Pacman Boxing Promotions, is anticipating a boost to Pumicpic?s WBC rankings if he stops Iwasa next month.

?Kapag manalo ako nito, ako ang hahawak nang OPBF belt sa 118 po at hahanay po siguro ako sa pang sampo sa WBC". Pumicpic told Philboxing.com.

(If I win here, I will be holding the OPBF belt at 118 and probably be in the top 10 of the WBC.)

The young Filipino bantamweight who has been training since January is splitting camps between Baguio City and Manila to train for the said fight. He is trained by veteran trainer, Artemio ?Mang Tembong? del Rosario and is being assisted by Jeffrey Linay.

You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910

Photo: Pumicpic (R) connects at Lugo. Photo by Wendell Alinea/


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Brian Norman Jr.: "This Championship Belt Means Everything to Me!"
    Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Julian Gonzalez Takes on Former World Title Challenger Jason Sanchez in Main Event on Friday, June 27th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • IBA reaffirms its commitment to good governance and stability in Africa
    Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Day One of the USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes
    Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 16 June 2025: Hitchins Stops Kambosos; Wins by Andy Cruz and Teremoana; Donaire Returns
    By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 9 - MUHAMMAD ALI WINS WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • OKC Nears First NBA Title in Thunder Era; Outclasses Indiana, 120-109 in Game 5
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • Crawford Refutes #3 P4P Ranking; WBA Doesn't Forget Nonito Donaire
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • GM John Paul Gomez joins Touchmove in Roxas City
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • Perfect foe, perfect outcome
    By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • Prospects Collide Results: Rajon Chance Defeats Yan Carlos Perez
    Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated Russian super middleweight Petr “The Surgeon” Khamukov to headline This Friday in Long Beach on DAZN
    Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • International Boxing & MMA Consultants Appointed to serve as El Salvador Professional Combat Sport Commission
    Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • Sasotize teams champion and 1st runner up in 2nd JCI Senate Chess Tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Jun 2025