YOU can say that the decision of Japanese superstar Naoya 'The Monster' Inoue to give up his world bantamweight (118 pounds) titles elicited a thunderous applause from local fight fans.

The reason is easy to discern: Inoue's decision to move up to the junior featherweight (122 pounds) division and give up his four (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO) bantamweight titles literally opened the door for a number of Filipino boxers to contend for the now vacant thrones.

With all four major bantamweight titles up for grabs, at least three Filipino boxers are in contention to pick up the WBC, IBF and WBO titles. By some luck, the country could end up with three champions in the weight class.

In the WBC, Australian Jason Moloney (25-2, 19 knockouts) and Nonito 'The Filipino Flash' Donaire Jr. (42-7, 28 knockouts) are ranked No.1 and No. 2, respectively, and are tipped to clash for the vacant crown.

Then again, not a few eyebrows have been raised relative to Donaire's lofty WBC ranking given that in his last fight, June 7, 2022, he was viciously knocked out in two rounds by Inoue in their battle for the undisputed bantamweight crown.

After the fight, Donaire talked about going down to the junior bantamweight (115 pounds) class and challenging WBC champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico. Donaire, 40, is an enigma given his age and the terrible beating he took against Inoue, but he became interested in the WBC junior bantamweight hardware because winning it will make him a legitimate five-division champion.

Donaire Jr. won titles in the flyweight (112 pounds), bantamweight (118 pounds), junior featherweight (122 pounds) and featherweight (126 pounds) divisions, but he only won the 'interim' or temporary version of the WBA junior bantamweight belt in August 2009.

Inoue's decision had Donaire Jr. changing his mind. He recently stated that he is not giving up his WBC No. 2 ranking at bantamweight and wants Moloney. Fighting Moloney means Donaire Jr. does not have to shed weight.

Also, while Moloney is still a threat despite being knocked out by Inoue in 2020, Estrada spells more trouble for Donaire.

In the IBF, Vincent Astrolabio (18-3, 13 knockouts) is firmly entrenched at the No.1 spot with Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez (21-2, 13 knockouts) at No. 2. Astrolabio is guaranteed a shot at the IBF crown and should be the slight favorite opposite Rodriguez. Rodriguez won the IBF title in 2018 over Moloney but lost it to Inoue in 2019.

Astrolabio burst into the consciousness of fight fans in February 2022 when he floored and decisively beat Cuban Guillermo Rigondeux. Astrolabio followed it up with a smashing sixth-round knockout of Russian Nikolai Potapov in December 2022.

In the WBO, Moloney and Rodriguez occupy the top two spots with Astrolabio at No. 3, Filipino Reymart Gaballo at No. 4 and Nicaraguan prospect Melvin Lopez at No. 5.

Here's the catch: the top five rankings in the WBO may be headed for an instant makeover. If Moloney opts for the WBC title, the No. 1 spot will be vacant. If Rodriguez opts for the IBF title opposite Astrolabio, the No. 2 spot will be vacant, too. Gaballo and Lopez will find themselves the top two boxers left to dispute the vacant WBO crown.

Gaballo (25-1, 20 knockouts) fought for the WBC bantam title in December 2021 and was stopped by Donaire with a debilitating body punch. He has since seen action only once, stopping countryman Ricardo Sueno in two rounds last October.

Lopez (29-1, 19 knockouts) was stopped by former world title challenger Jose Velasquez of Chile in 2019 but has since won 7 straight fights by knockout.

The Nicaraguan is relatively untested but will be the favorite against Gaballo owing to his activity.

While Donaire, Astrolabio and Gaballo are in the thick of the battle for the WBC, IBF and WBO crowns, respectively, it is a different story in the WBA.

The WBA's No. 1 ranking at bantamweight is surprisingly vacant. At No. 2 is Takuma Inoue, the younger brother of Naoya, while Melvin Lopez comes in at No. 3. Veteran Liborio Solis of Venezuela is at No. 4 while Donaire Jr. is at No. 5.

Takuma Inoue fought for the WBC bantamweight title in November 2019 and dropped a decision to Frenchman Nordine Oubaali. Inoue has since won four straight fights, including a knockout win over Filipino Jake Bornea last December, to move up to the WBA's No. 2 spot.

Inoue is a lock to contend for the WBA title, benefitting directly from his brother's decision to move up. The WBA crown may be the only title beyond the reach of Filipino fighters as No. 5 Donaire is zeroing on the WBC belt.