PARAS TKOS MORENO IN 7TH ROUND

GEN. SANTOS CITY — Crowd-favorite Vince “El Castigo” Paras of General Santos city survived an early knockdown to stop former Philippine national team member Aldren Moreno by a technical knockout in the 7th round in their much-anticipated encounter last Sunday (Dec. 17) at the Robinson’s Place here.
The huge crowd, mostly fans of Paras booed referee Alberto Heramil’s decision to make a mandatory 8-count on Paras, who was knocked down in the 3rd round by Moreno.
“Hindi man talaga ako nasaktan kasi na outbalance lang ako,” said Paras.
A plastic chair was thrown to the ring by a man, who was very angry. However, the security personnel of the mall were able to immediately control the crowd.
In the next round, Moreno continued to unleash his jabs as Paras was still affected by the knockdown.
However, Paras came back strong already in the 5th round by connecting more telling blows during a close exchange of punches with Moreno.
Paras landed more solid body shots on Moreno in the 6th round. And finally in the 7th round, after engaging in another brief exchange, Moreno was down on his knees and failed to beat the count of the referee.
“Nagsimula na pong humina ang tuhod ko sa 5th round pa lamang,” (My knees started to shake in the 5th round) said Moreno, who was using a 12 oz. pair of gloves for failing to make the weight limit.
Moreno tipped the scales at 110.6 lbs. and was more than a pound heavier while Paras also submitted 108 lbs.
“I aakyat ko na si Aldren ng timbang sa 112 lbs. kasi hindi na talaga niya kaya ang 108 lbs.,” said Moreno’s father-trainer Renato of MP Digos Gym.
Meanwhile, Paras dedicated his 13th straight victory and 11th knockout to his manager Maasim Mayor Jojo Lopez, who is currently still in jail and facing illegal drug charges.
“Inaalay ko pa itong panalo ko sa kanya na alam ko pong inosente at walang kasalanan. Hindi po totoo ang mga ibinibintang sa kanya,” (I dedicate my victory for him whom I believe is innocent. All the accusations against him are not true) said the 19-year old Paras.
“Paras showed he is a real warrior on the ring,” said boxing promoter Jim Claude “JC” Manangquil of Sanman Promotions, who watched the fight together with his co-promoter Dexter “Wang Yu” Tan and their boxers Romero Duno ang Reymart Gaballo.
Paras earlier won the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth light flyweight title last June 10 by a unanimous decision on Jimboy Haya in Mandaue City.
Paras thanked his fans and supporters for showing up last Sunday.
“Naga pasalamat ko sa ilaha ug dako kay ila kong gi suportahan,” (I thanked them a lot for their support) said Paras, who turned pro when he was still 17 years old.
Paras stopped Romeo Garde only in the first round also at Robinson’s Place in his pro debut last July 2015. (LITO DELOS REYES)