Dave Apolinario officially earns IBF world title shot

Dave Apolinario (left) and Angel Ayala (right). | Facebook photos

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Another Filipino boxer, Dave “Dobermann” Apolinario officially entered into world title contention.

This was after the International Boxing Federation (IBF) announced that its junior bantamweight world champion Jesse Rodriguez officially vacated his title on March 27. 

With that in mind, it automatically pits Apolinario, the current No. 3, and Mexican top contender Angel Ayala Lardizabal as the boxers next in line to fight for the vacated world title. 

READ: Apolinario survives knockdown, stops Thai foe in 4th round in Japan

IBF already ordered Apolinario’s camp, Sanman Boxing, and Ayala’s camp to start negotiating last March 28. Both camps were given 30 days to reach an agreement, otherwise a purse bid will be required. 

Apolinario’s world title bid is timely after countryman Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem won the World Boxing Council (WBC) world minimumweight title on Sunday, March 31, against erstwhile champion Yudai Shigeoka via split decision in Nagoya, Japan. 

READ: Apolinario battles Mexican veteran in Japan on Aug. 30

Both Apolinario and Ayala are unbeaten making this world title fight a must-watch. 

Apolinario already proved his world-title caliber when he scored a first-round knockout against Gideon Buthelezi to win the IBO world flyweight title in East London, South Africa in 2022. 

READ: Dave Apolinario plunges back into action

The 25-year-old Apolinario of General Santos City has an impressive 20-win record with 14 knockouts. He already fought twice in Japan, beating Mexican Brian Mosinos and Tanes Ongjunta of Thailand by decision and knockout, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ayala, 23, recently defeated Nicaraguan ex-IBF world light flyweight champion Felix Alvarado via unanimous decision last October, stretching his unbeaten record to 17 wins with seven knockouts.