Mark John Yap has arrived in Manila, en route to Bangkok, where he fights for the WBC Asia title this Saturday night.

Yap will make an audacious bid at the belt, jumping a weight class to Lightweight to take on champion Apichet Petchmanee who boasts a 15 win 1 loss record.

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Ali Cañega and Joseph Ambo scored wins in the two main bouts at Manny Pacquiao’s show in Mandaluyong last night.

Cañega took a well deserved majority decision over quality prospect Jhun Rick Carcedo, who made it an enthralling 10 rounds for the fans. The win earnt Cañega the PBF super lightweight belt, but a title that may have been void with a different result. Carcedo weighed in 5lb over the limit, and a good 6lb heavier than Ali Cañega, who always looks very long and lean.

Joseph Ambo got the victory against outstanding southpaw Gary Tamayo, but it presented in unfortunate circumstances.

The bout seemed to be trending in Tamayo's favour, but he struggled for breath at stages of the contest, and was forced to retire in the 4th round. "The Hawk" was taken to hospital shortly afterwards, and our thoughts are behind him in making a swift and full recovery.

Congratulations to all the fighters who put on a great show yesterday at BLOW BY BLOW.

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WBC ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

It's Philippines meets Thailand

Watch the Journey Man hits the road once more and will jump in weight in a bold plot to overthrow champion Apichet Petchmanee 15-1.

Saturday September 30th in  Bangkok Thailand.

This is gonna be a good fight

Watch Philippines national champion Ben Ligas assault on the IBO Intercontinental belt tonight when he takes on hot South American boxer Andres Campos.

Campos was unbeaten in 15 fights before dropping a points decision to world champion Sunny Edwards in June.

Ligas has plenty of local support, attracting the attention of Andrew and Jason Maloney. The Philippines champ is flanked by master trainer Jetro Pabustan.

The live stream of tonight's bout will be posted here later.

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"The Sniper" Ben Ligas is in career best shape to shock them at the beautiful coastal  town of Burleigh Heads in Australia tomorrow night.

Ligas 15-3 takes on Chile's Andre Campos 15-1 for the IBO Intercontinental Fly title, and is expected to be easy pickings for the South American.

Campos had been destroying everything in his path in a 15 fight winning streak, before a points loss to world #1 Sunny Edwards in June of this year. The Chilean was only a fraction behind in that contest, and surely The Sniper represents a far easier task for him !!

But the Philippines national champion Ben Ligas will have other ideas, and as you can see from today's weigh in, he cuts an imposing figure and looks set to create a major upset in Australia tomorrow night.

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Breaking news is the announcement that Philippines Mark John Yap will fight in Bangkok later this month for the WBC Lightweight crown.

Cagayan de Oro product Yap will challenge Thailand champion Apichet Petchmanee (15-1) for the belt that he secured back in late 2022. Petchmanee has been very dominant at home, and suffered his lone points loss abroad at Korakuen Hall against the outstanding Japanese boxer Katsuya Yasuda (10-0)

Mark John Yap has been a revelation since fighting Charly Suarez in Manila one year ago. He had previously done his best work at Bantamweight and was contemplating retirement, but rose to meet Suarez at 130lb.

Despite losing that contest, Yap looked in great touch, and is unbeaten in 4 subsequent fights.

He has defied the stigma of increasing weight, but Petchmanee looms as his first serious test at 135lb.

Mark John Yap v Apichet Petchmanee

WBC ASIA TITLE

September 30th  Bangkok, Thailand

The King's Warrior will have his broken right hand in a protective cast for the next 6 weeks, but the good news is, he is expected to make a full recovery.

Suarez staged an amazing effort to stay composed after injuring the hand early in round one, and being put under constant pressure by excellent Dominican Yohan Vasquez.

It was a bitter sweet US debut for the Philippines best boxer, who will be hoping for a ring return later this year.

Charly Suarez turned away a scrappy challenge from Yohan Vasquez to enjoy a successful U.S. debut. after a ten-round, unanimous decision victory over Dominican Republic’s Vazquez. Scores were 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93 for Suarez in the opening bout of the evening.

Action from bell to bell was entertaining and competitive, to the point where Vasquez (25-4, 20KOs) was disappointed when he heard the lopsided scores. Suarez landed the crisper combinations and cleaner punches but was forced to fend off Vasquez who effectively cut off the ring in the middleweights.

Suarez—a 35-year-old from General Santos City, Philippines—regained control late in the fight to advance to 16-0 (9KOs). The bout was his third straight on the road, having previously posted wins in Vietnam last December and a come-from-behind 12th round stoppage of unbeaten Paul Fleming on March 15 in Sydney, Australia.

Despite a dominant win at his USA debut, the King's Warrior Charly Suarez was the victim of misfortune.

Suarez broke his hand early in round one, forcing him to turn to his amateur skills and box his way to victory. The Philippines star turned southpaw frequently in the bout to ensure he survived  the ten rounds against his rugged opponent Yohan Vasquez.

The King's Warrior Charly Suarez has just completed his preparations in Las Vegas for this Sunday’s fight, and reports he is in killer shape and more than ready to fight.

Suarez will battle Dominican Yohan Vasquez 25-2, a hard hitter with 22 knockouts on his resume.

The Davao son was able to get some fast paced rounds in with both sons of fabled Ferocious Fernando Vargas, and also share the ring with Chris Eubank jr (pictured). Prior to that, the champ worked with Philippines national team members back home in Baguio.

Despite the calibre of his opponent, and the question marks surrounding his first bout in the US, Suarez will enter the ring a heavy favourite to put opponent Vasquez to the sword.

Suarez v Vasquez will take place at the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa Oklahoma this Sunday.

CEBU CITY, Philippines– Charly Suarez, the unbeaten and world-rated super featherweight contender nicknamed “King’s Warrior” will debut in the United States on August 26, 2023.

The 34-year-old Olympian turned professional boxer will face Dominican Republic’s Yohan Vasquez in a non-title bout at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

This will be Suarez’s first fight in five months. His most recent bout was nothing short of impressive as he wrested three regional titles and earned a world title bout.

Last March 15, he went to Sydney Australia to challenge the erstwhile International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental, International Boxing Organization (IBO) Inter-Continental, and World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia super featherweight king Paul Fleming.

The Filipino scored a technical knockout in the 12th round against Fleming for a resounding upset.

The victory catapulted Suarez to No. 7 in the IBF super featherweight division, No. 10 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), and No. 15 in the WBC.

He remains unbeaten with 15 wins and nine knockouts. Besides the three regional titles, Suarez is also the IBF Asia super featherweight king.

Meanwhile, Vasquez, 29, has a more experienced record. The former Dominican Republic lightweight champion holds a record of 25 wins, 20 knockouts, and three defeats.

*story courtesy Cebu Daily News

Emanuel Navarrete simply overwhelmed Oscar Valdez with his work rate in today's world title showdown between Mexico's two best.

The scores were unanimous for Navarrete, but perhaps too wide, and 116-112 and even 115-113 may have been more accurate.

Definitely a fight of the year contender.

SUAREZ IN VEGAS PREP FOR AUGUST RETURN

The King's Warrior Charly Suarez is enjoying quality sparring in Las Vegas in preparation for a ring return later this month.

Davao boxer Suarez (15-0) will head to Oklahoma to take on Yohan Vasquez (25-3) in a ten round non title contest.

The match represents a "stay busy" bout for Suarez, who was last seen fighting in Australia in March.

He won in spectacular fashion on that occasion, defeating unbeaten champion Paul Fleming by last round knockout, and picking up 4 regional titles in the process.

This is the man that stands in the way of emerging Japanese star Mikito Nakano maintaining a perfect kill rate of pinoys on his unblemished fight record.

Arnel  Baconaje "The Silencer" meets Nakano next Tuesday night at the iconic Korakuen Hall, and flew out from Manila today with coach Toto Laurente.

Mikito Nakano boasts a record of 7-0 with 6 knockouts, and most tellingly, he has been as brutal as he has been flawless with his pinoy body count.

Arvin Yurong, KJ Natuplag, Juanito Paredes and Lorenz Ladrada  - all quality boxers in their own right, but were slain and dispatched in body bags at the hands of the ruthless Japanese technician.

But Arnel Baconaje is cut from different cloth, and having sparred numerous top opponents such as Naoya Inoue in Japan previously, he is better equipped than his predecessors for the impending battle.

The Silencer's most recent outing was a RP title win over Jhon Gemino in May, so he will be heading to Japan confident that Nakano's dominance over pinoy fighters will be tested to the limit next Saturday.

Unbeaten Japanese star Mikito Nakano and Philippines national champ were both within the 130lb limit at today's weigh in.

The two fighters will box 8 rounds tomorrow night in Korakuen Hall Tokyo.

Nakano has a formidable reputation, being unbeaten in 7 fights, resolving 6 of those with thudding stoppages.

Arnel  Baconaje "The Silencer" represents the Japanese power puncher's most significant test so far, and he will be stepping into the ring confident of handling anything that Nakano has to offer.

Philippines Ronnie Baldonado just made weight for his Inoue Fulton undercard bout in Japan.

Ronnie Baldonado 53.3kg    16-4

Yoshiki Takei 53.9kg               6-0

Best of luck to both fighters.

Ronnie Baldonado and trainer Jetro Pabustan have touched down in Tokyo in advance of Tuesday night's mega clash between Naoya Inoue and Stephen Fulton.

Baldonado, who many remember for giving Wonder Boy Carl Jammes Martin a torrid battle, takes on unbeaten Yoshiki Takei (6-0)

Takei is a bona fide killer - all 6 wins have come by knockout, but Baldonado is a mad dog with plenty of firepower of his own.

The match will take place at Ariake Arena in "the Monster" Inoue's hometown of Yokohama.

India's Faizan Anwar (15-0) weighed in over at 151lb just now.

The Philippines Argie Toquero (13 wins) jumps a weight class tomorrow and registered 148lb on the scales.

Anwar has a very impressive record, but is yet to fight someone the calibre of an "in form" Toquero, so there is the potential for an upset tomorrow night in Dubai.

The match wiill be held at Dubai Studio City.

Philippines veteran champion Richard Pumicpic was tagged with the moniker "The Beast" from earliest days :

"a kind of savage supernatural figure, but mostly he symbolizes the violence that potentially exists in the heart of every human."

And that is during the war. Afterwards, Pumicpic is all smiles.

The well traveled Richard Pumicpic will meet the outstanding and unbeaten Alfred Lamptey from Ghana this Saturday night in Dubai.

With 12 wins with 8 knockouts, Lamptey is regarded as a real prodigy in African boxing at only 21 years of age.

But does he have the necessary experience and ring guile to dominate a boxer like Pumicpic?

I seriously doubt it, and this hot prospect from Ghana will need to be on full bore once they let the Beast out of his cage this Saturday night.

If this isn't a quality team of killers, then I don't know what is !!

Hitting the hot sands of Dubai this Saturday are three of the Philippines most experienced and dangerous campaigners - Argie Toquero, Donnie Nietes and Richard Pumicpic  (flanked by team manager Raoul Navarrete)

Toquero and Pumicpic have been on the sidelines of late, but look in outstanding shape, and each take on unbeaten foreign fighters.

Donnie Nietes appears as the main undercard, and will battle Muhammad Waseem (12-2).

The big fights this Saturday night will take place at Dubai Studio City.

Big thanks go to our friend Mujtaba Kamal for setting this up - a big fan of pinoy boxing.

Best of luck champs !

Two of the Philippines best performed boxers prior to the pandemic were Argie Toquero and Richard Pumicpic.

But both of these former world ranked boxers have been devoid of opportunities in recent times, and finally,  THE BOYS ARE BACK !

Toquero and Pumicpic are on the way to Dubai, fighting on a huge international card that also features pinoy champ Donnie Nietes.

Richard Pumicpic appears as the main undercard,  taking on unbeaten African fighter Alfred Lamptey (12-0)

Argie Toquero jumps a weight class, and is pitched against unbeaten Indian Faizan Anwar (15-0)

VSP Promotions can report that despite the enormity of their tasks, Toquero and Pumicpic are in great shape, and are very good chance to cause big upsets in Dubai.

BOXREC AND VBO ARE NOW A TEAM !!

The boxing world's iconic BOXREC is now the official record keeper for all Vietnam Boxing Organization's (VBO) events.

This is a fantastic news for the growth of the professional sport in Vietnam, and it also creates wider opportunities for boxers from around the world.

Events that have VBO regulatory approval will now be fully documented on BoxRec.

Vietnam's promoters and boxers - you can now start your engines  !!

Boxers work very hard, but so too do the gentleman that preside over the regulatory frame that keeps our sport vibrant and our fighters as safe as possible.

A big shout out to these four - Vietnam's Lim Song, the Philippines' Richard Clarin, Japan's Tsuyoshi Yasukochi and South Korea's Aaron Jang  - strident men who all share a unified vision of creating more opportunities for athletes in their respective countries.

A notable omission is China's Samson Lu,  who flew back early, but has been an invaluable and encouraging mentor to Vietnam boxing.

Congratulations

to this group. Yes, put your feet up and have a cold beer. It's well deserved  !!

Vietnam will miss you, and look forward to seeing you again and again. !!

#cockybuffalopromotions #TheGrandHoTramStrip #VSPPromotions #boxingvietnam #cockybuffalo #vspboxing

Looks like it, but no !

It's the trio of Elorde boys Allie Cañega, Erson Trinidad, and Dann Dacles  - ready to rip and tear at the Blow by Blow show tomorrow in Manila.

If looks could kill, these boys will be in jail after tomorrow's event  !

Good luck to all the boxers competing tomorrow.

GAB boss Mr. Richard Clarin and VBO Mr. Lim Song sign an historic cooperation agreement to further professional boxing in Vietnam.

The signing aligns the common goals of both countries to make the sport even greater in the region.

Vietnam are in awe of the rich history of boxing in the Philippines, and their vast experience in administration.

The Vietnam fans love the exciting fight style of pinoys, and see them as an essential component of their international events.

#cockybuffalopromotions #TheGrandHoTramStrip #vspboxing #VSPPromotions #cockybuffalo #boxingvietnam

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Team Raka have arrived in Vietnam, and first stop was VSP Gym in HCMC where they discussed all things boxing.

The team of (from left) Junior Raka, Ephraim Montoru, Martin Liri and Nelson John met with local boss Mr. Lim Song.

Raka will fight on Saturday night against China's Xiao Tao Su  - a former #1 and WBO Oriental champion.

There is a big international event in Vietnam this Saturday night, and the Philippines will be proudly represented by a killer by the name of Mark John Yap.

The Vietnam show will also be iconic in the regard of top boxing countries meeting there to discuss the sport and forge cooperation agreements.

GAB Chairman Richard Clarin is flying out this morning, flanked by entourage Jacky and Rex.

The photographer is well known Philippines film star and model Jetro Pabustan.

VSP wishes you all a safe flight and highly successful trip.

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Former opponents Mark John Yap and Junior Raka   are now united with a common goal  - to seek and destroy foreign opponents this Saturday night in Vietnam.

The Philippines and Papua New Guinea guns will appear at a big international event to be held at The Grand Ho Tram Resort and Casino in Vũng Tàu.

Their matches will be watched by bosses of Asia's top boxing commissions, including Richard Clarin and some team members from the Games and Amusement Board in the Philippines.

#vspboxing #TheGrandHoTramStrip #cockybuffalo #cockybuffalopromotions #VSPPromotions #boxingvietnam

Junior Kauko Raka en route to Vietnam, couldn't resist the temptation to drop into one of the many famous fight gyms in the Philippines.

Pictured here with trainer Nelson John, Raka reportedly looked great on pads and is already on weight.

HE'S READY TO RUMBLE !

Raka takes on China's WBO Oriental champion Xiao Tao Su this Saturday night at The Grand Ho Tram Resort and Casino.

Papua New Guinea iron man Junior Kauko Raka pictured just moments ago.

Raka is in Manila getting some miles in the legs before flying out to Vietnam on Wednesday.

The "PNG Prodigy" will meet former China #1 and WBO Oriental title holder Xiao Tao Su on Saturday night at The Grand Ho Tram Resort and Casino in Vũng Tàu.

#vspboxing #cockybuffalo #boxingvietnam #VSPPromotions #cockybuffalopromotions #vbo #TheGrandHoTramStrip

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The Wolverine heads to the Esforta Arena Hachioji in Tokyo today, pitted against hot young local prospect Kai Watanabe (9-1).

The Japanese bout will see Estrada jump up a weight class to Super Featherweight, so Watanabe will prove a "Tall" order.

JonJon Estrada is one of the toughest and hardest hitters in Philippines boxing, so he should have his share of fun in there despite the ominous task.

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Papua New Guinea's granite fisted Junior Raka and his team are officially Vietnam bound !

The squad are en route via Manila, where they will stay till Wednesday before leaving for Ho Chi Minh City.

The PNG Prodigy Raka has the task of dismantling China's WBO Oriental champion Xiao Tao Su at a big international show at The Grand Ho Tram Resort and Casino next Saturday night.

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They breed them with big hearts in PNG  !

Getting opportunities to fight in international events is never easy, and if you're based in PNG, even more so !

Friends and supporters of Junior Kauko Raka, and believers in the great sport of boxing, assembled last night to celebrate his impending task in Vietnam.

They also all contributed their valuable time, energy and money to make Raka the first professional boxer ever to step foot into the south east asian destination.

Big thanks go to promoter Mr. Sang Bum Kim and friends at Cocky Buffalo for showing the foresight and faith in the PNG Prodigy  !

Also, massive thanks to the friends in PNG who really stepped up last night :

The Minister of Internal Security, and Governor of Bougainville HON Peter Tsiamalili Jnr. who took the lead to put in support by paying for the venue, and to kindly host the dinner fundraising.

And the support from these generous companies:

1- JOMIK Group Company

2- PANG Family

3- NCDC Sport Desk

4- NCDC Governor

5- PNG Sport Foundation

6- NCD Provincial Health Authority

Also, Junior Kauko Raka has a special shout out to his manager Betrand Vagelo and his admin Ezra Bonny, for making last night's celebration happen, for both him and the whole Raka team.

I'm optimistic that the combined efforts of all will pave the way for international opportunities for young PNG stars of the future.

Big congratulations to the people of Papua New Guinea for supporting great role models. Bravo !!

SAY WELCOME TO THE NEW KIDS IN TOWN

The hard hitting Ronnie Baldonado ushers in some young blood fresh onto the Manila boxing scene !

Junny Bugas- 105lbs (wearing red), Michael Orano-122lbs (abs+tatts), and Noel Emata-135lbs

are all new to the Jetro Pabustan stable - and are ones to keep an eye out for in the future.

As for Ronnie, well he has plans of his own. This mad dog will be fighting in Japan this coming July against the unbeaten Yoshiki Takei.

Former combatants Mark John Yap and Junior Kauko Raka will meet again in July next month, but this time as friends - not foes !!

Yap and Raka shared the ring in Manila in late 2022, where the Papua New Guinea embraced the ominous task on just a few weeks notice. It was a great fight, and both boxers showed the sort of doggedness which will make them compulsory viewing in Vietnam.

July 15th sees the duo take on top rated foreigners in the super featherweight division.

These two stars will spearhead a big international show at the Grand Ho Tram in Vũng Tàu, and is made possible by Mr. Sang Bum Kim and our friends at Cocky Buffalo.

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Four Bangladeshi professional boxers will compete in three different pro boxing tournaments respectively in Australia and Vietnam between June 30 to July 15.

Joynul Islam Joy will fight for the silver title in the WBC Australasia Welterweight in Sydney, Australia on June 30 while Mohon Ali will feature in the WBC Australasia Featherweight in Melbourne, Australia on July 7.

Meanwhile, both Abdul Mottalib and Hasan Sikder will compete in another pro boxing tournament in Vietnam on July 15. All four boxers are expected to fly to their tournament destinations next week.

The details were disclosed during a press meet held at the Bangladesh Olympic Association Auditorium in the capital on Thursday.

Md Asaduzzaman, founder and chairman of Bangladesh Professional Boxing Society was the main speaker during the programme and he was hopeful that his boxers would be able to win their respective matches in the upcoming tournaments.

“Since the inception of our pro boxing society three years ago, our boxers have performed exceptionally well in several international competitions both home and abroad. I hope that they will continue the same performance in the upcoming tournaments as well,” Asaduzzaman said.

BPBS Vice-chairman Md Anisuzzaman was also present during the programme.

#cockybuffalo #vietnamboxing #VSPPromotions #vsppro #vsp #vspboxing #boxingvietnam #bangladeshboxing

International fight action live from the coastal strip of Vũng Tàu Vietnam this July.

Boxers of special interest to VSP followers are Philippines' Mark John Yap, Vietnam's Nguyễn Văn Hải and PNG hands of stone Junior Kauko Raka.

The show is been promoted by our friend Mr. Sang Bum Kim and our friends at Cocky Buffalo.

#boxingvietnam #cockybuffalo #vsppromotions #vspboxing