The Filipino people have always had a fighting spirit, and have a long-standing history with boxing and other combat sports. From humble beginnings in makeshift rings, Filipino boxers have made their mark on the international stage.
Many Filipino boxers, like Manny Pacquiao, have captured the hearts of millions of people in their home country and worldwide. They have held world titles and defeated some of the biggest names in the sport.
In the Philippines, boxing is not just a sport, it’s a way of life. For many, it is seen as a means of lifting themselves out of poverty, and boxers are celebrated as heroes who bring pride to their country.
The Philippines continues to produce world-famous Filipino boxers recognized for their exceptional skill, determination, and heart in the ring. In today’s post, we provide a top 10 list of Filipino boxers 2023 in the world.
Top 10 Filipino Boxers 2023 Snubbed
Before we move on to the actual rankings, here are some boxers from The Philippines who deserve an honorable mention.
- Reymart Gaballo ( 24-1-0, 20 KOs ), Super-bantamweight (122 lbs.)
- Jade Bornea ( 18-0-0, 12 KOs ), Super-flyweight (115 lbs.)
- Garen Diagan ( 9-3-0, 5 KOs )
- Samuel Salva ( 19-1-0, 12 KOs )
Now, let’s move on to the rankings, starting with number 10, and moving up to number 1.
No.10 Dave Apolinario ( 18-0-0, 13 KOs), Flyweight (108 lbs.)
Starting off the list, at No. 10, we have Dave Apolinario. A rising boxer out of the Philippines, who has an undefeated professional record with 18 wins on his record and 13 knockouts.
He is the current IBO flyweight world champion and won the title after defeating Gideon Buthelezi via knockout last year.
In his most recent fight, Dave Apolinario defeated Indonesian boxer Frengky Rohi via a referee technical decision (RTD) in the second round, and his next fight has not been announced yet.
No.9 Vincent Astrolabio ( 18-3-0, 13 KOs), Bantamweight (118 lbs.)
Vincent Astrolabio is among the newest generation of young up-and-coming fighters from the Philippines.
He has a record of 18 wins, 3 losses, and 13 KOs. He is also the current WBO Inter-Continental Bantamweight world champion and has notable wins over fighters like Guillermo Rigondeaux.
In his most recent fight, he defeated Nikolai Potapov, and his next fight has not been announced yet.
No.8 Vic Saludar ( 22-6-0, 12 KOs), Mini-Mumweight (105 lbs.)
Next up, we have Vic Saludar, who is one of the best boxers in the Mini-Flyweight division.
He has held multiple titles in the division, including the WBO and WBA Mini-Flyweight titles. Vic Saludar has several impressive wins over high-level fighters like Ryuya Yamanaka and Masataka Taniguchi.
In his most recent fight, he defeated Ariston Aton, Won the vacant ABF minimumweight title, and Vic Saludar’s next fight has not been announced yet.
No.7 Rene Mark Cuarto ( 21-3-2, 12 KOs), Mini-Mumweight (105 lbs.)
Rene Mark Cuarto is one of the best young fighters from the Philippines. He is only 26 years old and has a boxing record of 21 wins and 3 losses with 2 draws.
Cuarto is also the former IBF mini-Flyweight world champion. He won the title after defeating Pedro Taduran and defended the title against him in a rematch as well.
In his most recent fight, Cuarto defeated Dexter Alimento, and as of now, there is no official announcement about his next fight.
No.6 Johnriel Riel Casimero ( 32-4-0, 22 KOs ), Super-Bantamweight (122 lbs.)
Johnriel Riel Casimero is another Filipino world champion, who has held world titles in three weight classes. He has a boxing record of 34 wins and 4 losses.
Casimero won the IBF title at light flyweight and flyweight, and the WBO title at bantamweight. He has also made a total of 6 title defenses throughout his career.
In his most recent fight, he beat Ryo Akaho and his next fight has not been announced yet.
John Riel Casimero’s Q&A
- How old is John Riel Casimero? February 13, 1989 (age 34).
No.5 Jerwin Ancajas ( 33-3-2, 22 KOs ), Bantamweight (118 lbs.)
At No. 5 we have Jerwin Ancajas, who has a boxing record of 33 wins and 3 losses with 2 draws.
Ancajas is the former IBF junior-bantamweight world champion. He won the title after defeating McJoe Arroyo in 2016 and reigned as the champion till 2022. He made a total of 9 title defenses and holds the record for the longest-reigning champion at junior bantamweight.
He lost to Fernando Martínez in his most recent fight. When is Jerwin Ancajas Next Fight? There has been no official announcement regarding his next fight yet.
No.4 Donnie Nietes ( 43-2-6, 23 KOs ), Super-Flyweight (115 lbs.)
Apart from Manny Pacquiao, Donnie Nietes is easily one of the most accomplished boxers to come out of The Philippines. He has a professional boxing record of 43 wins and only 2 losses.
Donnie Nietes is a 4-division world champion, holding world titles at mini-flyweight, junior-flyweight, flyweight, and junior-bantamweight. He also made a total of 15 title defenses in his career and defeated some of the biggest names in all four divisions.
He is the longest-reigning Filipino boxing world champion, surpassing in 2014 the record set in 1967 by Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.
In his most recent WBO junior bantamweight title fight against Japanese boxer Kazuto Ioka. he lost to Kazuto Ioka with scores of 120–108, 118–110, and 117–111 in Ota City General Gymnasium, and his next fight has not been announced yet.
No.3 Melvin Jerusalem ( 20-2-0, 12 KOs ), Mini-Mumweight (105 lbs.)
Melvin Jerusalem is one of the best fighters to come out of The Philippines in recent years. He has a boxing record of 20 wins and 2 losses.
Jerusalem is the reigning WBO Mini Flyweight world champion, and he won the title in his most recent fight after defeating Japanese champion Masataka Taniguchi in Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
As of now, there is no official announcement about his next fight.
No.2 Mark Magsayo ( 24-1-0, 16 KOs ), Featherweight (126 lbs.)
Mark Magsayo is one of the most talented young fighters to come out of the Philippines. He is only 27 years old and has a record of 22 wins and only 1 loss.
Magsayo is the former WBA featherweight world champion. He won the title after defeating Gary Russell Jr. last year, however, he lost it to Rey Vargas in his most recent fight. Mark Magsayo has also held multiple regional titles and became the IBF and WBO Youth Featherweight champion early in his career.
For his next fight, he will be fighting Brandon Figueroa, with the WBC interim Featherweight title on the line.
Mark Magsayo’s Q&A
- How old is Mark Magsayo? June 22, 1995 (age 27).
- Where is Mark Magsayofrom? Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines.
- How tall is Mark Magsayo? 5 ft 6+1⁄2 in (169 cm).
No.1 Nonito Donaire ( 42-7-0, 28 KOs), Bantamweight (118 lbs.)
On the top of our list, we have the famous boxing veteran from The Philippines, Nonito Donaire. Nonito Donaire has a boxing record of 42 wins and only 7 losses.
He has held world titles in four different weight classes, from flyweight to featherweight. He was also the first 3-time world champion at bantamweight and held unified titles at both flyweight and bantamweight.
In his most recent fight, he lost to Naoya Inoue. Soon after Naoya Inoue moved up in weight and vacated his bantamweight titles, he will be fighting Alejandro Santiago for the vacant WBC bantamweight title next.
WBC bantamweight title by knockout in the second round of a unification bout with WBA and IBF bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in a rematch.
Nonito Donaire’s Q&A
- How old is Nonito Donaire? November 16, 1982 (age 40).
- Where is Nonito Donaire from? Talibon, Bohol, Philippines.
- When is Nonito Donaire next fight? Fighting Alejandro Santiago.