Boxing analyst says Dave Apolinario not a real world champ yet

Veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino has clarified that the newly crowned IBO flyweight champion Dave Apolinario should not be considered a legitimate world champion yet, based on the title that he won.

Apolinario, 17-0 with 12 knockouts as a prizefighter, won the vacant IBO title with a first-round knockout over Gideon Buthelezi in South Africa last week.

The win had fans abuzz thinking the Philippines’ world championship drought was over, but Tolentino believes that is not the case.

“I do not want to be a killjoy, but we have to put things into proper perspective. He won the IBO flyweight title. The IBO is not one of the four generally recognized bodies of professional boxing; WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO. Those are the magic four,” Tolentino told Sparring Sessions LIVE.

But while the IBO is not one of the four major sanctioning bodies, Tolentino explained that having a minor title around his waist does put Apolinario on the radar of the legitimate champions of the 112-pound division.

“It is not like his win was worthless because that was a major step towards getting a legitimate title in the flyweight division. This is why the credible sites, even The RING magazine mentioned that it is just another step towards championship contention for Apolinario,” Tolentino stressed.

“He is in the right direction. The priority should is to become a champion in one of the four recognized bodies of boxing. He is on his way there in my opinion.”

—JMB, GMA News