World titles: IBF or WBO? WBC?

Boxing is such a dynamic sport and one of the most obvious peculiarities that separates it from other sports is how a world championship can be won in four ways (five to six if you’re generous). With the presence of four organizations that are recognized by the boxing world, four world championships are won in every weight division. Boxers, promoters, managers and various state commissions deal with the World Boxing Organization (WBO), World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF).

With which organization is Pinoy boxing working today? Today’s Pinoy world champions are all with the IBF. Whether its by choice or by chance, the important thing is that we have our world champions. Milan Melindo is the IBF light flyweight world champion (108 pounds). Donnie Nietes is the flyweight champion (112 pounds). Jerwin Ancajas is the IBF super flyweight champion (115 pounds). Former world champ Johnriel Casimero was the IBF flyweight champion before moving up to super flyweight class. Is there any reason why our world champions are with the IBF? I can still recall how Donnie Nietes won two world championships in the mini-flyweight (105 pounds) and light flyweight divisions of the WBO.

When looking for a third world title in the heavier flyweight division, the IBF belt was the most feasible, and so Donnie went for it. I guess it was a case of the right timing and opportunity since the WBO title was not looking to bright at that time. With Donnie not getting any younger, it was more logical to go the world title asap.

For Milan’s part, it didn’t come easy and quick. He won his world title on his third attempt after fighting once for the WBO flyweight title and for the IBF light flyweight title which he now owns. Milan took the longer and steeper route falling twice before finally reaching the peak. Before they won their world titles, both Donnie and Milan worked their way up the world rankings through the WBO by winning regional titles, and defending these to go up the ladder.

Meanwhile, Jerwin Ancajas path to the world title is a little different. He once fought for a regional belt of the WBO but wasn’t fortunate enough to win it and this now stands as his only loss in his record. After that loss, he fought in China and Macau before winning the IBF Pan Pacific super flyweight title, his stepping stone to his current world title. His path was not as documented in the media, when compared to Donnie and Milan who had the support of TV giant ABS-CBN.

Like Casimero before him, Ancajas fought under the radar and even settled for a minimum purse when he won his world title against McJoe Arroyo in the Philippines. No fanfare or much media hype, but a world title is a world title with or without media exposure, right? He has defended his title twice via knock-out wins on foreign soil, and now faces the dangerous Jamie Conlan in Belfast on Saturday, November 18. I wish he can get enough support to be able to defend his world title on local soil.

While our champions seek to hold on to their titles, their younger counterparts are working their way up the ladder, hoping to land a shot at a world championship. Where will our next world champion come from, the IBF or WBO? Jonas Sultan is now the top-ranked fighter in the IBF super flyweight division.

He defeated ex- champ Casimero in a title eliminator and is now the mandatory challenger to Ancajas. Pinoys are also busy in the WBO. The WBO featherweight division (126 pounds) is loaded with world-ranked Pinoys aiming for Oscar Valdez’s title. Mark Magsayo is ranked #2, Jhack Tepora #4, Albert Pagara #11 and Richard Pumicpic is #15.

Both Magsayo and Tepora are aching to get a crack at the title. Genesis Servania recently lost to Valdez in a title fight and is reportedly thinking about going back to the lighter junior featherweight division (122 pounds). In the WBO junior featherweight class, Marlon Tapales is ranked second while Juan Miguel Elorde is #7. Other high-ranked Pinoy boxers include WBO junior bantamweight #3 Aliston Palicte, WBO light flyweight #2 Jonathan Taconing and #5 Christian Araneta.

In the WBO mini-flyweight division are #1 Robert Paradero, #2 Vic Saludar, and #6 Mark Anthony Barriga. In the IBF light flyweight division, Randy Petalcorin is ranked #3. We can’t afford to ignore our pambansang kamao Manny Pacquiao but he’s more of an exception after having won world titles is eight weight divisions in all boxing bodies: flyweight, superbantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and super welterweight. He’s done so much for Pinoy boxing that he doesn’t have anything to prove anymore.

An interesting record is how Japanese boxers have managed to win world championships in all the world boxing bodies. One look at the world rankings and you’ll see at least two Japanese world champions in two different boxing bodies in the lighter weight classes from 105 to 115 pounds. This should be the next target of Pinoy boxing.

Our boxing family should move to spread as many Pinoy world beaters across the different world bodies. Since we’re already active in the IBF and WBO, how about working with the WBC next? I hope the recent OPBF convention in Palawan will help the plight of our Pinoy boxers who can opt to go up the WBC way since the OPBF its regional partner. After all, the OPBF president is GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra with its official address listed as the GAB main office in Makati.

We find ourselves in very interesting times for Pinoy boxing in the post-Pacquiao period. While we’ll never produce another Pacquiao, boxing should move to produce more world champions across the “globe” of boxing.