JARO CAPTURES WBC INT'L SUPER FLYWEIGHT TITLE

By LITO DELOS REYES

FORMER WBC World flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro showed no rustiness despite coming off from more than 11 months of inactivity by beating Marjun Pantilgan by a unanimous decision to capture the vacant WBC International super flyweight title last Wednesday night at the Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena in Makati City.

The 34-year old Jaro used his ring experience in getting the nods of all the three judges Ferdinand Estrella (99-92), Oliver Garcia (96-94) and Nowel Haduca (97-93) after 10 rounds.

Jaro improved his record to 42 wins against 13 losses and 5 draws while the 22-year old Pantilgan of Malaybalay, Bukidnon dropped to 11-3-0.

Jaro last fought and won against Japanese Shota Kawaguchi by a 7^th round technical knockout in their rematch held October 18, 2015 in Saitama, Japan.

Jaro, a native of Silay City became the WBC World flyweight champion by stopping Pongsaklek Wonjongkam via a 6^th round technical knockout on March 2, 2012 in Chonburi, Thailand.

Jaro, however, lost his title by a split decision to Japanese Toshiyuki Igarashi on July 16, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.

After that, Jaro also lost two more successive defeats to Hiroyuki Hisataka (UD) and Gerpaul Valero (split decision).

But Jaro bounced back to his winning form by scoring nine straight wins including six by knockouts. He first knocked out Marzon Cabailla in the 1^st round on January 11, 2014 and then beat Jovel Romasasa, Ical Tobida, Danilo Pena, Albert Alcoy, Shota Kawaguchi (twice) and Dunryl Marcos.

Meanwhile, light flyweight Edward Heno stopped Roque Lauro by a 6^th round TKO in the main supporting bout.

The other results:

Arnel Baconaje TKO’d Jeson Berwela in 1^st round;

Cris Ocana TKO’d Julius Bala in 5^th round;

Kyota Otsuka won by majority decision against Glenne Calacar;

Jules Victoriano TKO’d Gebby Manago in 1^st round;

Glen Bismanos TKO’d Romano Villanueva in 1^st round;

Bienvenido Ligas TKO’d Jayar Omac in 1^st round.