Rodel Wenceslao retires from boxing, eyes coaching job abroad

CEBU CITY, Philippines — After reviving what was once a struggling professional boxing career into a championship run, Cebu’s Rodel “The Hulk” Wenceslao has officially announced his retirement from the sport.

The 33-year-old welterweight, who fought under the ARQ Boxing Stable in Cebu City, confirmed the decision in an interview with CDN Digital. Wenceslao said he is now preparing for a new chapter in his career as he awaits the approval of his application to become a boxing trainer in South Korea.

“Gusto pa ko moduwa unta pero, unahon nako akong pamilya. Nagkadugay nag ka edad ta, delikado kung ma timingan ta ug knockout, dili na unya ta makabalik,” Wenceslao said.

“Gusto pa gyud unta ko mo fight, pero ang naa sa akong huna-huna akong pamilya. Kuyaw ma baldado ta. Mao nang naka decide ko nga mo retire na lang ug mangita ug laing trabaho. Maayo unta ug mo lambo ni akong pag ka training sa gawas.”

Although he admitted he still wanted to continue fighting, Wenceslao said his family’s future ultimately became his top priority.

His retirement marks the end of one of Cebu boxing’s most inspiring comeback stories.

Nine years ago, Wenceslao left his hometown of Kananga, Leyte, hoping to make a name for himself in Cebu’s competitive boxing scene. He endured years of setbacks, suffering five straight defeats from 2018 to 2019 and earning the reputation of a journeyman.

However, after joining the ARQ Boxing Stable following the COVID-19 pandemic, Wenceslao resurrected his career. From 2022 to 2025, he compiled an impressive 10-fight winning streak, capturing both the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International and WBF Australasian welterweight titles.

One of the proudest moments of his career came on March 8, when he stopped fellow Filipino Ernie Sanchez of General Santos City in the sixth round to claim the WBF Australasian welterweight title during ARQ Sports Promotions’ “Engkwentro 12: Binombahay sa Cawayan” at the Cawayan Sports Complex in Masbate.

After returning to his hometown, Wenceslao proudly presented the championship belt to his parents, Rodolfo and Jovita, whom he had not seen for quite some time, fulfilling a dream that had begun nearly a decade earlier.

His final professional bout came in November, when he dropped a hard-fought unanimous decision to China’s Yesihati Yeerken in an eight-round contest in General Santos City.

Following that defeat, Wenceslao spent months contemplating whether to continue his career before ultimately deciding to retire after his contract with ARQ Boxing Stable expired earlier this year.

Looking back, Wenceslao expressed nothing but gratitude to the people who helped revive his career, especially ARQ Boxing Stable and its head, Jason Arquisola.

“They gave me another chance when my career was almost over,” Wenceslao said as he now looks forward to sharing his experience with the next generation of fighters abroad.

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