Age :
33
Height :
170
cm
Stance :
Orthodox
Region :
Valencia, Negros Oriental
Country :
Philippines
Record : PRO DEBUT
Record :
17
Wins
(
11
KO)
/
18
Loss
/
3
Draws
The word “journeyman” is bandied around way too much in boxing, and it generally relates to quality older boxers that have seen it all, often those having shared the ring with some of the sport’s top names. The Ultimate Knockout Challenge in Manila this December plays host to some of the best fighters in the Philippines, but surely none have had the travels or can tell the stories of 33 year old Leonardo Doronio. Doronio, who originally hails from Valencia in Negros, has had a bumpy yet successful career that started way back in 2006. Young Leo showed ability from the start, winning 4 of his first 5 matches, and was quickly being matched with way more experienced opponents with great records.
Leonardo built on some great fundamentals, and forged a path which has culminated in him scoring 17 career wins, fighting in countries like the US, Mexico, Russia and Japan. Amongst numerous adventures abroad, one of the more memorable was Doronio’s pilgrimage to Mexico to take on the great Nery Saguilan for the WBC Latino title. Leonardo had just returned from Thailand, where he had knocked out the hard as nails Taiwo Ali, and was brimming with confidence for his Mexican assignment. In an epic display, Doronio rag dolled the Mexican fighter for much of the contest, only to lose by controversial split decision, but it was obvious to the observing crowd that the foreign boxer known as “Toto” had bested their man! That was back in 2016, and that proved to be a very interesting year for the Philippines boxer! The legendary Manny Pacquiao was preparing for his US comeback bout with Jessie Vargas, and Leonardo Doronio was chosen as the lone Filipino sparring partner. Alongside US Olympian Jose Ramirez, Doronio helped Pacquiao get in top shape engaging in 3x a week torrid sparring sessions. The rest is history, and of course, Pacquiao went on to dismantle the touted Vargas in a one sided contest.
It was early 2020 when we most recently saw the well travelled Leonardo Doronio back in the ring. He was in Tokyo, matched with the unbeaten Takuma Takahashi. An excitement machine, the Japanese fighter had won all of his previous matches by knockout. In what was expected to be a simple fight for the Japanese star, Doronio brought big drama to a match that shocked many in the audience. The rugged Filipino caught many of Takahashi’s best shots, yet replied in kind, dropping the stunned Japanese not once, but twice, amongst many ballistic exchanges. In what was described as Japan’s “Fight of the Year”, Doronio got stopped late in a see sawing battle of wills that he looked destined to win. To add more credence to Doronio’s dramatic performance, the Japanese boxer has since gone on to win his next two fights with brutal stoppages.
Doronio resumed from more than a year off in Manila last December, and in a really tidy showing, ousted a very good version of Jimmy Borbon. It was a promising win, and one that betrayed improvement to come at his next. His opponent Arnel Baconaje is rightfully regarded as one of the Philippines best boxers, so it is expected that “Toto” will use all his valuable ring guile to help silence the man known as“The Silencer” !!
Mark John Yap opened his new year account in stunning fashion, scoring a stoppage win over what appeared to be a very good version of Philippines Lightweight Leonardo Doronio.
Unable to secure a suitable 130 opponent for his first hitout of the year, Yap opted to jump a weight class and get a physical exam with the vastly experienced and durable Doronio.
It was very noticeable at the weigh-in, that aside from being the much larger boxer, Leonardo Doronio was in the best physical shape that he has been in for a very long time.
And he performed very well, while it lasted, and we look forward to seeing Doronio back again this year to see what he can produce.
But for Mark John Yap, it really was a patient yet lethal execution of a necessary task, and certainly showed shades of the brutality that he inflicted on Japan's best fighters prior to the pandemic.
Watch the full fight here, and you will see this dog has got a bite worse than his bark.
Yap Yap !
Leonardo Doronio and Mark John Yap were the two most experienced boxers to grace the ring at REVOLUTION yesterday.
Both boxers looked in great shape, and it was very definitely the best version of Doronio we have seen in recent fights.
He pumped out skillful jabs that forced Yap to change position in the early rounds, and looked very comfortable in defense. Doronio also looked more dynamic than he has in a long while, and always looked dangerous. Based on yesterday's performance, Leonardo Doronio has a lot more wins in store.
Mark John Yap, superlatives often fall short, but his skills and killer were again to the fore.
Watch carefully how he set up that hook.
Bravo to Yap - bring on 2023 !
With near 100 professional fights between them, Leonardo Doronio and Mark John Yap qualify as the two most experienced performers at tomorrow's REVOLUTION event in Parañaque.
"Toto" Doronio has chalked up 18 wins, and was formerly a main sparring partner to boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. He was an impressive winner against Jimmy Borbon, before showing all his ring guile in dealing with a very offensive Arnel Baconaje.
Mark John Yap's deeds in Japan prior to the pandemic are legendary. It's accurate to say that he shredded some of that country's very best fighters in perhaps their strongest weight class.
His return to the Philippines with excellent showings against Charly Suarez and Junior Kauko Raka were ominous signs that foreshadow a big 2O23.
These boys are quality, and the 135 works in favour of Doronio. Don’t miss this tomorrow.
UKC REVOLUTION 2O23
Elorde Sports Complex Parañaque Manila
Monday January 30th
Was it ever in doubt ?
YAP IS BACK !
Mark John Yap makes his eagerly awaited ring return at UKC REVOLUTION 2023 against former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner Leonardo Doronio.
Yap has the reputation as one of the Philippines' best internationally performed boxers of recent years, thus earning him The Journey Man tag, and he will be looking to embark his 2023 trip with a great performance at home.
The former bantamweight star has only recently made the super featherweight division his new home, yet will challenge Doronio at Lightweight, such is the difficulty in getting the Mindanao product decent competition in a season opener.
Mark John Yap produced a classy performance against Charly Suarez for the WBA Asia title, and endorsed that effort with an impressive win over Papua New Guinea's best Junior Kauko Raka.
Yap then ventured to Vietnam to compete at Fortunes of War, and looked good in a fast paced short format exhibition event.
Leonardo Doronio is a very experienced boxer, who will hold the advantage of being the slightly larger man. He posted good wins over Bryan Macamay and Jimmy Borbon, before a points loss to outstanding pinoy Arnel Baconaje. He will prove to be a great measure of where Mark John Yap is early in his 2023 adventure.
But the word is out - Yap is back !
January 30th marks the start of a new journey.
UKC REVOLUTION 2023
Elorde Sports Centre Parañaque Manila
Monday January 30th
Great performance by Arnel Baconaje to win by shutout over an extremely resilient Leonardo Doronio.
Baconaje landed more frequently, and also had the power ascendancy, over a bigger opponent. He also controlled the ring with excellent movement.
It was definitely an improved version of Doronio today, he looked fit and imposing. He just struggled with Baconaje's movement, and he will no doubt fare better with a less mobile opponent.
Arnel Baconaje is without doubt one of the Philippines' best and most technical boxers.
He is also one of the most difficult to match!
"The Silencer" is a very skillful and solidly built 130, with a big KO ratio, and unfortunately, had three opponents drop out en route to TIGER 2O22.
Enter saviour Leonardo Doronio !
The internationally experienced, and former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner, resumed from a lay off in December, and produced a really solid win against Jimmy Borbon at 140 super lightweight. Doronio looked "heavy" in that match, and despite his strong showing against an improved Borbon, gave the appearance that a drop in weight class would really suit.
So when the call went out for a quality opponent for the much ducked Baconaje, Leonardo Doronio was quick to answer. But how to make a fight happen between fighters two divisions apart?
Simple - let's meet in the middle !
ARNEL BACONAJE v LEONARDO DORONIO
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
Simply put, we think ULTIMATE KNOCKOUT CHALLENGE is going to be the biggest show of the year in the Philippines! 13 fights with some of the biggest names in the country coming together to show you what quality match ups looks like. To make the event even more entertaining, VSP Promotions will give away USD 1,000 to anyone that can correctly guess the outcome of each fight! It's FREE so make sure to try our VSP SUREPICK!
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 !!
