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!
On June 3rd, VBO President Dr. Lim Song attended 40th IBF Convention in Atlantic city, USA. There, Dr. Song made a formal proposal to host 2026 IBF Convention in Vietnam.
The global convention bring together 300~400 experts in the professional boxing industry across the world.
Hosting a Global Convention for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) in Vietnam would offer a multitude of benefits, not just for the boxing community but for the country as a whole.
1. Elevating Vietnam's Boxing Profile:
Global Recognition: Hosting a major IBF event would significantly raise Vietnam's standing in the international boxing world. It would put the country on the map as a serious contender for future top-tier boxing events and potentially world title fights.
Showcasing Local Talent: It would provide an unparalleled platform for Vietnamese boxers, coaches, and officials to interact with global leaders, learn best practices, and gain exposure. This could accelerate the development of local boxing talent and potentially lead to more Vietnamese champions on the world stage.
Professional Development: The convention would likely include seminars, training courses, and certification programs for referees, judges, and coaches, significantly improving the quality and professionalism of Vietnamese boxing personnel.
2. Development of the "Sports Economy":
Tourism Boost: A global convention attracts a significant number of international delegates, including IBF officials, promoters, managers, boxers, media, and fans. This influx of visitors would lead to increased spending on hotels, restaurants, transportation, shopping, and local attractions, generating substantial revenue for the local economy.
Job Creation: The event would create temporary jobs in hospitality, event management, security, transportation, and other related sectors.
Media Exposure: Global media coverage of the convention and any associated boxing events would provide invaluable promotion for Vietnam as a tourist destination and a vibrant, modern country, enhancing its international image.
Hosting an IBF convention could stimulate the commercialization of boxing in Vietnam, encouraging more sponsorships, broadcasting deals, and the growth of a professional boxing ecosystem.
3. Soft Power and International Relations:
Diplomatic Engagement: Hosting such an event fosters stronger relationships with international sports organizations and participating countries, enhancing Vietnam's "soft power" on the global stage.
Cultural Exchange: It provides an opportunity to showcase Vietnamese culture, hospitality, and unique heritage to a diverse international audience. Delegates would experience local customs, cuisine, and traditions, leaving with positive impressions.
National Pride: Successfully hosting a prestigious global event instills a sense of national pride and unity among the Vietnamese people.
So, what do you think about Vietnam hosting IBF Convention in 2026?
#vietnamboxingorganization #vietnamboxing #professionalboxing #ibf #InternationalBoxingFederation #SportsEconomy #vietnamsports #pride
Hai võ sĩ Việt Nam 🇻🇳 Thái Hoàng Huy và Trần Tấn Quang Đạo vừa đặt chân đến Úc nhưng đã nhanh chóng làm quen với người bản địa.
Huy, Nguyễn Hải Đăng và Adones Cabalquinto sẽ thi đấu tại sự kiện NO WAY OUT vào tối mai tại Q Room ở Melbourne.
Chương trình do Peter Maniatis Events – một trong những đơn vị ủng hộ boxing chuyên nghiệp lớn nhất nước Úc – tổ chức.
Lễ cân sẽ diễn ra vào cuối ngày hôm nay.
AUSTRALIA - LET'S MAKE NEW FRIENDS 🇦🇺
Vietnam 🇻🇳 boxers Thai Hoang Huy and Tran Tan Quang Dao have only just arrived in Australia, and are already meeting the locals.
Huy, Nguyen Hai Dang and Adones Cabalquinto will be competing at the NO WAY OUT event tomorrow night at the Q Room in Melbourne.
The promotion comes courtesy of one of the country's biggest supporters of professional boxing Peter Maniatis Events.
The weigh-in will be held later today.
Các bạn thân mến – có rất nhiều bình luận xoay quanh trận đấu vừa qua của Trần Văn Thảo tại Tokyo. Nhiều ý kiến mang tính động viên, nhưng cũng không ít những lời chỉ trích khá gay gắt.
Ai cũng có quyền tự do bày tỏ quan điểm.
Nhưng để cân bằng lại những quan điểm đó, tôi muốn chia sẻ với các bạn một góc nhìn có thêm bối cảnh và chuyên môn.
Trong bài viết trước, tôi không chỉ nói Nhật Bản giỏi boxing – tôi nói họ LÀ GIỎI NHẤT!
Nghe có vẻ phóng đại? Vậy hãy đọc tiếp.
Nhật Bản hiện đang sở hữu 5 võ sĩ hàng đầu thế giới ở hạng cân của Trần Văn Thảo, và 8 người trong top 10.
Điều này là cực kỳ hiếm thấy!
Không một quốc gia nào khác thống trị một hạng cân danh giá như vậy – kể cả Hoa Kỳ!
Và đừng quên, Nhật Bản còn có "quái vật" Naoya Inoue, người được xem là võ sĩ hay nhất thế giới hiện nay.
Trần Văn Thảo vừa thượng đài với một tay đấm được dự đoán sẽ là ngôi sao tương lai của Nhật Bản ở hạng Bantamweight – và điều đó hoàn toàn hợp lý vì anh ta từng là vô địch thế giới nghiệp dư.
Đây là một đối thủ rất nghiêm túc – không phải “tay mơ” nào cả.
Tôi đã tham gia boxing quốc tế nhiều năm, và không bao giờ dùng từ “huyền thoại” hay “người hùng” một cách tùy tiện.
Nên hãy hiểu rõ ngữ cảnh sau đây.
Trần Văn Thảo đến từ một đất nước chưa có nền boxing chuyên nghiệp phát triển.
Việc thi đấu thường xuyên và tập luyện với đối thủ đẳng cấp cao là điều gần như không thể tại Việt Nam lúc này.
Đây là bất lợi rất lớn cho các võ sĩ tài năng của chúng ta.
Dù vậy, Thảo vẫn đạt được xếp hạng thế giới, và trở thành võ sĩ Việt Nam đầu tiên được mời thi đấu trên sân khấu lớn nhất thế giới, đối đầu với một đối thủ đẳng cấp cao.
Không những thế, anh còn là trận đấu chính trong loạt trận phụ trước trận tranh đai vô địch thế giới.
ĐÂY LÀ CỘT MỐC LỊCH SỬ CỦA BOXING CHUYÊN NGHIỆP VIỆT NAM!!
Đây là dấu ấn đặc biệt – và Trần Văn Thảo xứng đáng được xem là một người hùng.
TRẬN ĐẤU THÌ SAO?
Vâng – tất cả chúng ta đều xem rồi.
Nhưng điều đáng nể hơn là: Chính Thảo đã can đảm bước vào và chiến đấu.
Thua là xác suất 50% của mọi trận đấu, nhưng Thảo đã cho cả thế giới thấy rằng võ sĩ Việt Nam KHÔNG BAO GIỜ GỤC NGÃ!
Không bỏ cuộc – và phẩm chất đó là điều rất hiếm ở con người. Màn thể hiện của Thảo là nguồn cảm hứng lớn.
Đối thủ trước đó của Tomoya Tsuboi có thành tích 14 thắng – 2 thua, nhưng bị hạ KO chỉ trong 2 hiệp.
Những bài học sau thất bại rất giá trị với mọi võ sĩ – và chính điều đó sẽ giúp Thảo phát triển mạnh mẽ hơn rất nhiều, đặc biệt nếu anh có cơ hội trở lại sàn đấu thế giới.
Giờ đây, Thảo hiểu rõ trình độ cần thiết để thi đấu ở đỉnh cao, thậm chí còn rõ hơn bất kỳ ai trong chúng ta ngồi xem ở nhà.
Tôi là người làm nghề tổ chức, và nếu tôi là promoter phía Nhật, tôi chắc chắn sẽ mời Thảo quay lại lần nữa!
Tinh thần chiến đấu và sự bền bỉ của anh ấy đã nâng tầm thương hiệu boxing Việt Nam trên trường quốc tế – và đó là một thành tựu không thể phủ nhận.
Có bài học rút ra không?
Tất nhiên – là rất nhiều!
Hãy chờ đợi sự trở lại của đại sứ boxing chuyên nghiệp Việt Nam – khỏe hơn, nhanh hơn và thông minh hơn bao giờ hết!
VIỆT NAM 🇻🇳 – VỮNG BƯỚC TIẾN LÊN!
Nguyễn Hải Đăng, võ sĩ 19 tuổi đến từ Việt Nam, sẽ có trận chuyên nghiệp đầu tiên vào tối thứ Bảy này tại Melbourne, Úc.
Nhưng có một vấn đề nhỏ...
Em chưa có quần thi đấu chuyên nghiệp để bước lên võ đài chiến thắng 🤔
✅ ĐÃ GIẢI QUYẾT XONG !!
Một lời cảm ơn đặc biệt gửi đến Huỳnh Hồng Ngọc đã lo liệu mọi thứ cho em trong thời gian cực kỳ gấp rút!
🔥 Chiến hết mình với võ sĩ Úc nhé Đăng!
CHO NÓ BIẾT "ĐỊA NGỤC" LÀ GÌ 😈
VIỆT NAM CỐ LÊN 🇻🇳
