Joey Canoy (left) and Jonathan Refugio (proper). | Fb and Boxrec photographs
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Mindanao boxing followers are in for a deal with as former world title challenger Joey Canoy squares off in opposition to seasoned veteran Jonathan Refugio for the vacant World Boxing Affiliation (WBA) Asia minimumweight title on August 30 in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
Canoy, combating below the Sanman Boxing banner, enters the ring using a wave of momentum with 4 consecutive knockout victories since 2022. His current performances haven’t gone unnoticed, as he’s now ranked in all 4 main boxing governing our bodies inside the minimumweight division.
At the moment, Canoy is ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), the place compatriot Melvin Jerusalem holds the title.
READ: Canoy, Azarcon tangle in Sanman card July 12
He additionally holds the No. 6 spot within the Worldwide Boxing Federation (IBF) rankings, the place one other Filipino, Pedro Taduran, reigns because the champion. Moreover, Canoy is ranked inside the Prime 15 by each the WBA and the World Boxing Group (WBO).
Canoy’s most notable achievement got here when he captured the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) mild flyweight title in 2022, defeating Japan’s Kenichi Horikawa with a seventh-round technical knockout.
READ: Canoy stops Japan champion in seventh, takes OPBF mild flyweight belt
Knockout spree
Since then, he has continued his knockout spree, dispatching Clyde Azarcon and Pablito Balidio from 2023 to 2024, cementing his standing as one of many Philippines’ most formidable minimumweight contenders.
The 31-year-old Canoy who’s previously primarily based in Cebu boasts a report of 21 wins, 13 of which got here by knockout, alongside 5 defeats and two attracts.
READ: Canoy fails WBA mild fly title bid, loses to South African foe by resolution
In distinction to Canoy’s profitable streak, Jonathan Refugio has confronted difficult instances in his current bouts.
As soon as a prime prospect within the mild flyweight division, Refugio has misplaced 4 of his final 5 fights, together with two important defeats in 2022 and 2023.
Essentially the most crushing blow got here in 2022 when he was knocked out by fellow Filipino Arvin Magramo throughout their battle for the WBO Oriental mild flyweight title.
Extra lately, Refugio suffered a sixth-round stoppage loss to Cebuano AJ Paciones in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Vietnam, in August final yr.
Regardless of his current setbacks, Refugio stays a harmful opponent.
Earlier than his dropping streak, he loved a formidable five-fight profitable run from 2017 to 2019, taking down a number of fellow Filipinos with notable ability and willpower.
At 31, Refugio holds a report of twenty-two wins, 10 losses, and 5 attracts, with 8 of these victories coming by knockout.
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