Dave Apolinario


Davemark Cereno Apolinario is a Filipino professional boxer. He is a former IBO Flyweight champion.

Professional career

Apolinario, managed by Mike Pelayo of Sanman Promotions, made his professional debut on 10 June 2017, defeating fellow Filipino boxer Prince Canonero via first-round technical knockout.
Following the bout, Apolinario defeated Rio Gulipatan a month after his previous fight, winning via unanimous decision through four rounds.
A couple of months later, it was reported that Apolinario was scheduled to fight Rudy Salaton on 9 September 2017. Apolinario defeated Salaton via first-round TKO.
Following the bout, Apolinario defeated Rez Padrogane via fifth-round TKO.
A couple of months after his previous fight, Apolinario defeated Frankie Batuon via second-round knock out.
More than a month later, Apolinario defeated Jenuel Lauza, winning a unanimous decision through eight rounds, all judges scored 80–72 in favor of Apolinario.
More than three months later, Apolinario returned to flyweight and defeated fellow Filipino boxer, Charles Canedo via a round 2 technical knock out.

WBC ABCO Youth flyweight title

It was reported that Apolinario was scheduled to fight fellow Filipino boxer, Michael Camelion on 9 September 2018. Apolinario defeated Camelion winning a unanimous decision through eight rounds. Apolinario won the vacant WBC ABCO Youth flyweight title.
Less than two months after his previous fight, Apolinario defeated fellow Filipino boxer, Joan Imperial via a knock out in 1:53 of the first round.
More than three months later, Apolinario defeated Filipino compatriot, Romshane Sarguilla winning a unanimous decision through eight rounds.
On 9 June 2019, Apolinario defeated Filipino compatriot, Adrian Lerasan winning a unanimous decision through ten rounds.
Four months later, Apolinario defeated Arnold Garde via a first-round TKO.
A couple of months later, Apolinario defeated Richard Rosales via a referee technical decision in the fifth round.
On 21 November 2020, after an eleven-month rest due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Apolinario defeated Bonjun Loperez via a referee technical decision in the fourth round.

WBA Asia Flyweight title

On 16 July 2021, less than eight months after his previous fight, Apolinario defeated Charlie Malupangue winning a technical knock out in the fourth round. Apolinario won the vacant WBA Asia flyweight title.
On 5 February 2022, Apolinario defeated fellow Filipino boxer Mike Kinaadman via a technical knockout in the fifth round.

IBO Flyweight title

On July 29, 2022, Apolinario won the vacant IBO Flyweight title by defeating Gideon Buthelezi via a knockout in the first round.
Seven months later, Apolinario was scheduled to face Indonesian boxer Frengky Rohi in a non-title fight. Apolinario defeated Rohi via a referee technical decision in the second round.

Ohashi Promotions

In early June 2023, it was reported that Apolinario signed a deal with Japan-based Ohashi Promotions and will be co-promoting his future matches.
A month later, it was announced that Apolinario will be facing Mexican veteran Brian Mosinos in his Japan debut. The fight is scheduled on the 30th of August 2023. Apolinario defeated Mosinos via a unanimous decision through eight rounds. During the fight, Apolinario scored a second-round knockdown and later suffered an injury to his left elbow after accidentally hitting Mosinos' head.
Six months later, Apolinario was then scheduled to face two-time SEA Games silver medalist Tanes Ongjunta. Apolinario secured a comeback win against the Thai boxer after being knocked down late in the third round. Apolinario turned things around as he knocked out Ongjunta with an uppercut in the last minute of the fourth round.

Apolinario vs Ayala

In March 2024, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) announced that Apolinario will be facing Ángel Ayala for the vacant IBF Flyweight title, which was vacated by Jesse Rodriguez, who moved up to Super Flyweight. Both camps were given a month to reach an agreement. Ayala's Zanfer Boxing won the purse bid worth $255,000, outbidding Ohashi Promotions' bid worth $215,000. The fight was scheduled to be held on August 9 in Mexico City.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
23Loss21–2Longyi HuKO3 2025-04-22Korakuen Hall, Japan
22Win21–1Jeny Boy BocaUD62024-12-18Bula Gymnasium, General Santos, Philippines
21Loss20–1Ángel AyalaKO6, 2:062024-08-09Restaurante Arroyo, Mexico City, MexicoFor vacant IBF flyweight title
20Win20–0Tanes OngjuntaKO4 2024-02-22Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19Win19–0Brian MosinosUD82023-08-30Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
18Win18–0Frengky RohiRTD2 2023-02-11Sanman Gym, General Santos, Philippines
17Win17–0Gideon ButheleziKO1 2022-07-29International Convention Centre, East London, PhilippinesWon vacant IBO flyweight title
16Win16–0Mike KinaadmanTKO5 2022-02-05Sanman Gym, General Santos, Philippines
15Win15–0Charlie MalupangueTKO4 2021-07-16Tabunok Sports Complex, Talisay City, PhilippinesWon vacant WBA Asia flyweight title
14Win14–0Bonjun LoperezRTD4 2020-11-21Sanman Gym, General Santos, Philippines
13Win13–0Richard RosalesRTD5 2019-12-14Elorde Sports Complex Grand Ballroom, Parañaque City, Philippines
12Win12–0Arnold GardeTKO1 2019-10-20Robinsons' Mall Atrium, General Santos, Philippines
11Win11–0Adrian LerasanUD102019-06-09TV5 Studio, Quezon City, Philippines
10Win10–0Romshane SarguillaUD82019-02-09Midas Hotel and Casino, Pasay City, Philippines
9Win9–0Joan ImperialKO1 2018-10-29Midas Hotel and Casino, Pasay City, Philippines
8Win8–0Michael CamelionUD82018-09-09Polomolok Gym, Polomolok, PhilippinesWon vacant ABCO Youth flyweight title
7Win7–0Charles CanedoTKO2 2018-06-27Capitol Gym, Barangay Matti, Digos, Philippines
6Win6–0Jenuel LauzaUD82018-03-10Mandaluyong City Hall Grounds, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
5Win5–0Frankie BatuonKO2 2018-01-10Gaisano Mall Atrium, General Santos, Philippines
4Win4–0Rez PadroganeTKO5 2017-11-05Robinsons' Mall Atrium, General Santos, Philippines
3Win3–0Rudy SalatonTKO1 2017-09-09Polomolok Gym, Polomolok, Philippines
2Win2–0Rio GulipatanUD42017-07-23Robinsons' Mall Atrium, General Santos, Philippines
1Win1–0Prince CanoneroTKO1 2017-06-10Robinsons' Mall Atrium, General Santos, Philippines

Awards and recognition