TAGUCHI TAPS ABF CHAMPION BORRES AS SPARRING PARTNER FOR UNIFICATION FIGHT VS. MELINDO

SPARRING PARTNERS. (Left to right) Richard Rosales, IBF world minimumweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi and ABF light flyweight champion at the Watanabe Gym in Japan.

WBA WORLD LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION RYOICHI TAGUCHI

IBF WORLD LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION MILAN MELINDO

ASIAN Boxing Federation (ABF) light flyweight champion Jeronil Borres of the Philippines is now the sparring partner of WBA world light flyweight champion Ryoichi Taguchi in Japan.
Taguchi is now preparing for his unification title-fight against reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight champion Milan Melindo of the Philippines on December 31 at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Japan.
“This is a big break for Borres,” said Borres’ manager Brico Santig of Highland Stable from La Trinidad, Benguet.
The 22-year old Borres is now sparring with Taguchi at the Watanabe Gym.
Borres recently captured the vacant ABF light flyweight title by a majority decision against Robert Onggocan last November 10 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Taguchi previously retained his world title via a 9th round technical knockout win against Robert Barrera last July 23 at the Ota City gym.
Melindo (37W-2L-0D, 13 KOs), on the other hand, recently retained his crown by a split decision against Hekkie Budler last Sept. 16 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.
Meanwhile, current undefeated IBF World minimumweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (8W-0L, 6 KOs) also took in another Filipino sparring partner Richard Rosales for his title-defense against Carlos Buitrago (30W-2L-1D, 17 KOs) of Nicaragua in the same card on Dec. 31 promoted by Hitoshi Watanabe.
Rosales (12W-5L-2D, 7 KOs), a native of Bohol is a veteran of three separate title fights. He first fought but lost to Jake Bornea in their battle for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth flyweight title by a 4th round knockout in 2015 in General Santos City.
In his second championship fight, Rosales dropped a 6th round knockout to WBO Oriental flyweight champion Prastisak Phaprom last Sep. 2, 2016 in Thailand.
In his last title fight, Rosales bowed to JayR Raquinel by a majority decision for the interim OPBF flyweight crown last October 20 in Bacolod City. (LITO DELOS REYES)