Collazo's looming move to flyweight opens door to Filipino minimumweights

CEBU CITY, Philippines — World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific Vice President Leon Panoncillo revealed that unified WBO and World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico is nearing a decision to permanently move up to the flyweight division.

Panoncillo, who was in Tagbilaran City, Bohol to supervise the WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight title fight between PMI Bohol Boxing Stable’s Joseph Sumabong and Taiwanese Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver minimumweight champion Jheng Ciou in the “Kumong Bol-Anon 25” unification bout, made the announcement during the event’s pre-fight press conference.

While Panoncillo stopped short of confirming that Collazo has officially decided to leave the 105-pound division, he said the Puerto Rican champion has already expressed his intention to campaign at flyweight.

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With that possibility, Panoncillo believes a major opportunity could soon open for highly ranked Filipino contenders in both the WBO and WBA.

“We already know Collazo is an intercontinental flyweight champion after he moved up. But he hasn’t officially relinquished both titles in the 105-pound division yet,” said Panoncillo.

Flyweight debut

Collazo has already made his flyweight debut, knocking out Neider Valdez in the second round last month to capture the WBO Inter-Continental flyweight title.

“And we know that he has both the WBO and WBA world titles. So, if he decides to officially move up, he will vacate these two titles, and whoever is the highest-ranked fighter and those close to the top of the rankings can get the opportunity,” Panoncillo added.

Despite reports that Collazo has already made up his mind to remain at flyweight, Panoncillo said he has yet to receive any formal confirmation from the reigning champion.

“He’s still thinking of moving up,” said Panoncillo.

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Should Collazo officially vacate both belts, several Filipino contenders could find themselves in line for world title opportunities, particularly Melvin Jerusalem, who lost his WBO minimumweight crown to Collazo in 2024, and former world champion Vic Saludar, who has held the No. 1 spot in the WBO rankings for several months.

“Yes, it’s two titles. It’s a big opportunity. Right now, the No. 1 is Vic Saludar for the WBO and No. 2 is Melvin Jerusalem. So, possibly, the No. 1 and No. 2 might fight, and it’s going to be a good opportunity for the Philippines to win the world title again,” said Panoncillo.

Other Filipino minimumweights who could also earn world title opportunities in either the WBO or WBA include Joey Canoy, the newly crowned unified WBO Asia Pacific and OPBF Silver champion Joseph Sumabong, and former world title challenger Christian Balunan.

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