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Philippines, 27 Jan 2026 |
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IS VINCE PARAS FOR REAL? By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Fri, 02 Jun 2017  Paras. CEBU ? You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of Cebu-based boxing writers who have seen Vince Paras in action. All of his fights were held in Mindanao. I was at ringside for one but it lasted less than a round. There was another fight where a cell phone video was uploaded on social media but that too ended in the opening round. But if you ask those who have seen him up close, they will swear he is the real thing. Paras (10W-0L,9KO?s), who is 18 years old and listed at 5 feet four inches tall, does have fast hands, decent footwork and the punching power to draw the fans in. He is from Gen. Santos City so it is a no-brainer that comparisons with a certain boxing icon are bound to happen. In fact, in 2014, Paras was mentioned in an article posted on the website of Al Jazeera, entitled ?In Search of Manny Pacquiao?s Heir? written by Jason Gutierrez. In that article, a 15 year old Paras caught the eye of Freddie Roach. He was still an amateur fighter but people in the know were already gushing about his hand speed and power. Paras will be facing his first real test this June 10. His opponent, Jimboy Haya (10W-3L-2D, 6KO?s) of the Omega Gym of Cebu, has already faced strong competition. Last year, Haya went the full twelve rounds before bowing to world ranked Vic Saludar by unanimous decision in a WBO regional minimumweight title fight held in Cagayan de Oro. The 22 year old Haya has a reputation for being tough as nails and has never been knocked out. But he will have to keep his emotions in check. Two years ago, he was disqualified in the third round of his fight against Jay-R Raquinel in Siquijor due to excessive low blows. In the fight against Saludar, Haya earned a point deduction for carrying his opponent and taking him down. But one thing for sure, this will be a hard fight for both boxers. Boxing pundits here in Cebu are eagerly awaiting this match-up to see if Paras will live up to his billing. Omega Gym manager James Osorio told this writer in a conversation last Wednesday that Haya is in excellent shape and has trained hard for this fight. ?If Paras beats him, then Paras is the real thing.? Osorio said. Paras and Haya will dispute the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific Youth junior flyweight title at the Mandaue City Sports Complex. The winner will get a top 15 world ranking with the WBO in the light flyweight division, currently ruled by Japanese Kosei Tanaka. The June 10 Mandaue fight card billed as "ENGKWENTRO DINHI SA MANDAUE " : VISAYAS VS. MINDANAO is promoted by Kenneth Rontal of the Championship Boxing Development of the Philippines. The show will feature the fighting Saludar brothers, Vic and Froilan, as well as unbeaten prospect Robert Paradero and the all-female match-up between Casey Morton of Hawaii and Phannaluk Kongsang of Thailand. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..  |
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