MANILA – Negrense boxer Sonny Boy Jaro failed to clinch the WBC Asian Boxing Council bantamweight belt after a seventh round stoppage win over Thai Nawaphon Kaikanha at the Workpoint Studio in Bang Phun, Thailand.
It was a stinging defeat for the Silay City, Negros Occidental native, who is hoping to have a better showing against Kaikanha to have another world title shot before retiring.
It was a tactical affair for Jaro and Kaikanha in the first five rounds as the Thai moved and jabbed, showing a lot of respect for his hard punching Filipino opponent, who threw a punch at a time.
After learning from the open scoring judges that he is way ahead, Kaikanha aggressively opened up the sixth round with combinations but Jaro covered up and took his shots well.
Things started to heat up in the seventh frame with both boxer landing some good shots until Kaikanha landed a body shot that dropped Jaro to the canvas. The Negrense tried to get up but the referee waved things off.
With the defeat, the 37-year-old Jaro saw his boxing slate dropped to 45-15-5 win-loss-draw, including 32 stoppage wins, while Kaikanha improved his boxing slate to 45-1-1, with 35 wins by knockout.
Meanwhile, Filipino boxer Matthew Arcillas (6-2-0, six knockouts) was not successful in his boxing return after a third round stoppage loss to Karoon Jarupianlerd (43-9-0, 20 KOs)./PN
