Tagpuno Jr meets the very promising Jonniel Larente in what beckons as a cracking opening match at QUEST FOR GLORY. Laurente was an excellent amateur, and recently made his pro debut with a well earned stoppage against Jeric Wayne Canawil. So now it is the turn of this young Butuan boxer to make a start on his pro career, and show fans how he earned the ring monicker “Ferocious”.
Fernando Tagpuno started boxing at the age of 13 in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, and later transferred to Butuan City, where he continued to learn skills as an amateur. He ventured to Manila at the age of 17 to pursue his dream to get good coaching and turn pro, but was regarded as still a bit young and with no opportunities, he returned to his home of Butuan. Alchemist Multi media provided him with an opportunity this year, where he has trained under the watchful eye of Jovill Marayan Calumpit in Bulacan.
Ferocious Fernando Tagpuno had a relatively short but successful amateur career. He won 7 of his 9 contests, all earmarked by constant aggression and a solid work rate. He moves to a 4 round format here against Laurente, and that should represent no problem. What will be an interesting facet of the match up is that both fighters are southpaw, and for inexperienced fighters, this makes the outcome often more difficult to predict. Add to this that Laurente is the taller, and often leaning into his punches, and you have an excellent platform for Tagpuno Jr to show his mettle as a counter puncher.
Great opening bout – two very promising young fighters, and a clash of styles meaning that strategy and execution will have a big bearing on the outcome. Fernando Tagpuno Jr is pumped for the opportunity of fighting a great prospect like Laurente at his debut, and without doubt, we will see a lot more of this “Ferocious” debutant in the fuure!




Rocks or diamonds ! - that's how fights between two southpaws can go, but with some luck, FernandoTagpuno jr and Bryan Tamayo may just be one of the best bouts at "Night of Champions" tomorrow in Parañaque.
Tagpuno Jr has been on a hot winning streak, scoring 5 straight victories after enduring two narrow losses in debut matches.
But clearly "El Cazador" was a good learner, as his losses were to top prospects Jonniel Laurente and Daniel Nicolas, and he has been unbeaten since.
Bryan Tamayo enters the ring the more experienced of the two, having scored 8 quality wins, and he also boasts plenty of power.
The tall and rangy fighter has good skills too, and will surely test Tagpuno from the opening bell.

Boxer and master trainer Jetro Pabustan has his charges fit and ready to rumble, for what will be some great fight events, starting this Saturday at the Mauway Gym in Mandaluyong City.
Clarence Breboneria (pictured right) takes on the unbeaten Bryl Bayogos this Saturday, where the main event sees world top 30 Judy Flores pitched against the Predator Jerald Paclar.
But if you want to see "El Cazador" in action - that being the Ferocious Fernando Tagpuno Jr, you will need to wait another week !
Tagpuno appears on a great card scheduled for June 17th.

Great fight month ahead, and these two villains are ready to create havoc in coming weeks.
Clarence Breboneria takes on the unbeaten Bryl Bayogos on June 10, whilst Fernando Tagpuno Jr has the ominous task of the classy Bryan Tamayo on June 17th. Both of these shape as too close to call contests, but the Elorde boys are already showing killer confidence.
Don't forget VSP PRO will also be shown live from Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam again this month.
Saturday June 17th.

You don't need a telescope to see the future - they are standing right here in front of you !!
Here stands more of the young blood that will be on display at ANNIHILATION TIGER UKC in Paranaque on Sunday August 7th.
Clarence Breboneria, Anton Maglinte, Jonathan Almacen, and Fernando Tagpuno Jr make up the resplendently handsome quartet, and rest assured, THEY CAN ALL FIGHT !


































Jino Rodrigo has been in outstanding form of late, exuding a brand of violence that is equal parts shock and awe, and no doubt his secret to it all :
TRAIN HARD - STAY BUSY !!
Jino has also taken his most recent fights in the United States on very short notice against top opposition, and this Sunday he continues on that path tackling his most formidable task yet !
Standing in his way will be World #1 amateur and recent Golden Boy signing Ruslan Abdullaev !!
Yes, you heard right.
Golden Boy.
They love to protect their new signings, and extremely LATE CALL UPS is one of their most common tricks to make sure an opponent is way below their best.
That said, Jino Rodrigo has stayed in shape since a very recent knockout performance in March, and he's more than grateful to get the fight with hot prospect Ruslan Abdullaev.
So here's how they line up :
Fight Night Alert: Ruslan Abdullaev vs. Jino Rodrigo – This Saturday on DAZN
All eyes turn to Oceanside, California this Saturday, April 19, as world number one amateur-turned-pro Ruslan Abdullaev steps into the ring for his second professional bout at Frontwave Arena — broadcast live worldwide on DAZN from 5 PM PT.
The 2024 Uzbekistan Olympian made waves in his pro debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner, delivering a clinical second-round knockout against Jose Alvarado. Abdullaev’s speed, precision, and composure were on full display, making it clear: the amateur king is now hunting crowns in the pro ranks.
But standing in his way is Jino Rodrigo, a dangerous late replacement from the Philippines who’s far from just filling a slot.
Rodrigo has quietly built a reputation as a fight-finisher — winning 4 of his last 5 by stoppage.
His only recent loss came against red-hot contender Elvis Rodriguez, and even then, Rodrigo dropped Rodriguez early and had him reeling before losing a close decision.
He’s been staying sharp, and with nothing to lose, he’s coming to shock the boxing world.
The stage is set:
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 5 PM PT
Location: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, CA
Live Stream: DAZN (Worldwide)

Joey Canoy meets Sam Minh Phat !!
JOEY CANOY (The Babyface)
Record: 23 Wins – 5 Losses – 2 Draws
Knockouts: 14 KOs (60.87% KO rate)
Ranking: #13 in the world / #4 in the Philippines
Career: 2012 – 2024
Age: 31
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: General Santos City, Philippines
Total Bouts: 32 (189 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2024-12-27: Def. Ariston Aton (W-UD 8/8)
2024-08-30: Def. Jonathan Refugio (W-RTD 5/12)
2024-07-11: Def. Pablito Balidio (W-KO 1/8)
2023-07-12: Def. Clyde Azarcon (W-TKO 4/8)
2022-12-04: Def. Kenichi Horikawa (W-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Canoy is an experienced and battle-tested fighter, with over a decade in the sport and nearly 200 rounds under his belt. He has faced tougher opposition, including veterans like Kenichi Horikawa, and is riding a strong win streak. His southpaw stance adds a tactical dimension, often challenging for orthodox opponents. He blends power with durability, having only been stopped twice in 32 fights.
SAM MINH PHAT (Leopard Kim)
Record: 10 Wins – 5 Losses – 0 Draws
Knockouts: 8 KOs (80% KO rate)
Ranking: #67 in the world / #1 in Vietnam
Career: 2017 – 2025
Age: 30
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Total Bouts: 15 (67 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2025-02-20: Def. Ne Lin Aung (W-TKO 2/6)
2023-07-15: Lost to DianXing Zhu (L-RTD 9/10)
2022-07-30: Def. Heri Purnomo (W-TKO 2/8)
2022-04-23: Def. Le Dieu Phuoc (W-TKO 5/6)
2021-10-23: Lost to ArAr Andales (L-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Sam Minh Phat is an explosive, aggressive puncher with a high KO ratio. Despite only 15 professional bouts, his fights tend to end early, showing that he thrives on fast starts and power shots. However, his losses to more seasoned opponents (like ArAr Andales) expose vulnerabilities in stamina and ring IQ against experienced fighters. He’s a rising star in Vietnam but hasn’t yet proven himself consistently at the international level.
Head-to-Head Outlook:
Joey Canoy holds the edge in experience, durability, and fight craft. While Sam Minh Phat boasts impressive KO power, he’s largely untested against world-ranked opposition, with the exception of Chinese #1 Zhu DianXing.
Canoy’s southpaw stance and savvy approach would likely neutralize Phat’s early pressure, wearing him down in later rounds. If the fight goes deep, Canoy becomes the clear favorite. If Phat can land big early, he is a huge chance to pull the win. If not, he’ll struggle to keep up with Canoy’s pace and discipline.
Great and intriguing fight !!








