IT is not everyday that the country produces a middleweight boxing prospect.
For this reason alone, the progress of Weljon "Triggerman" Mindoro of Zamboanga del Sur is being keenly followed by local fight fans.
Thus far, Mindoro has amassed an eye-catching record of 13-0-1 (draw) with 13 knockouts. Last Nov. 9, Mindoro showed up in a ring in Florida, United States and flattened Lucas de Abreu of Brazil in three rounds. Using a thunderous right hand, Mindoro wiped the canvas with de Abreu's face.
The win over de Abreu was Mindoro's second ring appearance in the United States and he figures to amass a following there given his action-packed style.
The record books show that majority of the country's boxing champions emanated from lower weight divisions, particularly in the flyweight (112 pounds) class. One can count in the fingers of one hand the number of Filipino boxers who emerged champions in heavier weight categories. A cursory rundown shows junior welterweight (140 pounds) champs Roberto Cruz (1963), Pedro Adigue (1968), and Morris East (1992). Manny Pacquiao was also recognized as lineal junior welterweight king following his May 2009 stoppage of Ricky Hatton.
Pacquiao scaled as high as junior middleweight (154 pounds) in November 2010, beating Antonio Margarito for the WBC title. It should be noted here that Pacquiao did not really max out at 154 pounds as the fight with Margarito was fought at the catch weight of 150 pounds. Pacquiao stepped on the scale at 144.6 pounds for the fight.
Pacquiao had to bulk up to go as high as junior middleweight. In stark contrast, Mindoro is already a big man from out of the box. Mindoro, 24, stands 5'11" and is every bit a 160-pounder.
There had been a handful of Filipino boxers in the middleweight ranks.
In 1968, Filipino Manfredo Alipala campaigned in the middleweight class and fought for the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title, losing by decision to Korean Ki Soo Kim.
In October 1939, Ceferino Garcia knocked out Fred Apostoli in seven rounds to win recognition as world middleweight champion. Garcia held the title until May 1940 when he lost to Ken Overlin.
To this day, Garcia is the only Filipino to be crowned middleweight champion. Mindoro is hoping to follow in Garcia's footsteps although it will not be a walk in the park given the stiff competition in the weight class.
Former Olympic medalist Eumir Marcial is 5-0 with 3 knockouts as a pro and campaigns in the heavier super middleweight (168 pounds) division. Given the fame and fortune Marcial realized in the Olympics, fans wonder if he still has the desire to go all out as a pro.
Unlike Marcial, Mindoro is hungry like a wolf.
Mindoro packs a wallop in both fists. He offers an aggressive style and his right straight can put a grown man to sleep. Admittedly, there are still some chinks in his armor, notably his defense. Instead of patiently working behind the jab, he has a tendency to lunge in recklessly, making himself susceptible to counter shots.
De Abreau was able to land a few hooks and uppercuts before succumbing to Mindoro's power shots.
One cannot argue with power, though, and Mindoro offers a lot in this department. Still, an upgrade in opposition is a must at this stage in his career.
De Abreau had lost four straight fights before facing Mindoro. Four months before, in July, Mindoro knocked out Japanese Mao Tameda, a foe who had a win-loss record of 3-14.
Mindoro's toughest fight foe to date was world-ranked Japanese Takeshi Inoue. The two battled to 12-round split draw in May 2023.
Inoue came to the fight with a record of 19-2. The Japanese fought for the WBO junior middleweight title in January 2019 and lost only on points to Mexican Jaime Munguia. Inoue's only other loss came in November 2021 against another marquee name, Tim Tsyzu of Australia.
Mindoro hurt Inoue in the opening round but the Japanese survived the assault and landed some alarming overhand rights in the duration of the fight.
There were no knockdowns, but Mindoro fought himself in a war.
As of this writing, Mindoro is being groomed to fight Australian Joel Camilleri in Dubai on December 6. The 34-year-old Camilleri totes a record of 29-8 with 14 knockouts.
Camilleri started out as a kickboxer before switching to boxing at age 16.
When he is not training, Camilleri is a Secondary School Teacher. Camilleri will look to teach Mindoro a lesson. While not a major upgrade, Camilleri makes for an intriguing foe.
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