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Philippines, 21 Feb 2026 |
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WILL VINCE PARAS THRIVE UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF JAPAN? By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Wed, 25 Apr 2018  Paras. Nineteen year old prospect Vince Paras (13-0, 11KO?s) will be taking several steps up in terms of the level of opposition when he challenges IBF world minimumweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (9-0, 7KO?s) of Japan this May 20. Paras, who hails from Gen. Santos City, is ranked number 15 by the IBF in the heavier light flyweight division. All of his fights were held in the Philippines in places like Maasim in Sarangani, Gen. Santos City, Kidapawan City, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan City. In a rare appearance in the country?s fight capital Cebu, he beat Jimboy Haya of the Omega Gym by unanimous decision for the WBO Asia Pacific light flyweight title at the Mandaue City Sports Complex. The 24 year old Kyoguchi won the IBF title against Mexican Jose Argumedo by unanimous decision last July 23, 2017 and will be making his second title defense. Last December, Kyoguchi defended against Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago by TKO in round eight. This is the same Buitrago who fought then WBO minimumweight champ Merlito Sabillo at the Araneta Coliseum in 2013 and the fight ended in a split draw. Kyoguchi holds the Japan record for the quickest route for a Japanese boxer to win a world title, having beaten Argumedo one year and three months after he turned professional. Kyoguchi has beaten four Filipino boxers - Michael Camelion (KO1), Junuel Lacar (KO3), Armando dela Cruz (KO3) and Jonathan Refugio (UD12). Fight videos of Kyoguchi shows that he is aggressive and throws a lot of punches to the body and head. Paras also has hand speed, punching power and decent footwork. But he will have to be at his defensive best and in tip top shape to fend off Kyoguchi. It may also be question of who will land the first power punch. Kyoguchi vs Paras will be held at the Ota City Gymnasium in Tokyo. Paras will try to avoid the same fate suffered by another promising unbeaten boxer from Mindanao, Ronnie Baldonado, who got his first career loss after losing to Kosei Tanaka in Nagoya, Japan a few weeks ago by TKO in round nine in a non-title contest. Tanaka has held WBO world titles at 105 and 108 and was moving up to flyweight. What Paras should aim for is to duplicate the feat of Morris East, who was a relative unknown when he became the youngest Filipino world champion in 1992 after he beat Akinobu Hiranaka in eleven rounds in Tokyo for the WBA world junior welterweight title. This fight was the co-winner for Ring magazine?s KO of the Year. East was 19 years and 31 days old when he became champ. Marvin Sonsona, who is currently training for a comeback on May 13, was nineteen years and five weeks old when he won the WBO world junior bantamweight title in 2009. Paras will be 19 years and seven months on fight night. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..  |
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