MANILA – Ilonggo Juanito Paredes took home the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) featherweight belt after a first round technical knockout win over Lloyd Jardeliza on Friday night in Cupang, Muntinlupa City.
It was the first boxing championship of the Dumangas, Iloilo native since starting his professional boxing career four years ago.
The victory also capped off a perfect year for Paredes as he also scored victories in his previous three matches against fellow Pinoys Pablito Canada, Junjie Lauza and Robin Dingcong.
Both fighters tested each other early in the opening round by trading combinations at the center of the ring until Paredes knocked down Jardeliza with a one-two combination.
Jardeliza managed to survive the knockdown but Paredes went on attack mode as he unloaded consecutive punches on the former until the referee intervene to put an end to the match.
“Pinaghandaan ko talaga si Lloyd kasi alam kong veteran fighter ito kaya hindi ako puwedeng kumpiyansa,” said Paredes. “Masaya din dahil ‘yung sacrifice ko sa training ay nagbunga.”
With the victory, the 26-year-old Paredes improved his boxing record to seven wins, five losses and a draw, with three stoppage wins, while Jardeliza dropped his slate to 8-9-4 with six KOs.
In the undercard, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental native Paolo Sy suffered a knockout loss to Ronald Alapormina. It was Sy’s first defeat this year after winning his previous three matches./PN
