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Philippines, 24 Feb 2026 |
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AJ Paciones Outsmarts Kitidech, Retains WBA Asia 108 Strap in Highland Show in Thailand By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Fri, 29 Dec 2023  BANGKOK, Thailand – In a hard-fought 12-rounder, undefeated Filipino Arvin Jhon "AJ" Paciones dropped, outsmarted and defeated tough Kitidech Hirunsuk of Thailand for a unanimous decision win to retain his WBA Asia Light Flyweight Title on December 28 in a Highland Boxing Promotions show at the plush SpacePlus Night Club in Bangkok, Thailand. Coached by his father former MMA fighter Do Dong Paciones, the 18-year-old AJ had to dig deep to best a skilled and spirited Kitidech, who, despite visiting the canvas early in the fight, never stopped being dangerous, displaying skills and heart.  AJ Paciones pose with his father Do Dong after winning his fight over Thailand's Kitidech Hirunsuk. At the end, all Thai judges scored for AJ Paciones (7-0, 4 KO's), who made a successful first defense of the WBA Asian belt that he claimed last August in Vietnam. The 16-bout show at the luxurious SpacePlus was promoted by Asian award-winning promoter Brico Santig of Highland Boxing Promotions. PHANALUCK DENIED In another hot title clash, Thailand veteran warrior woman Phannaluk Kongsang (12-13-1, 7 KO's) appeared to have edged a win. – or at least a draw – in her fierce clash against Colombian-born Australian Viviana Ruiz Corredor (8-1, 4 KO's), but was denied, victory getting instead a split decision loss. One of the judges, got the numbers right in favor of Phannaluk, however getting ruled out by the other two officials who saw it for the world-ranked Ruiz. (Full fight video is available from the promoter's YouTube Channel.)  Phannaluk Kongsang (L) and Viviana Ruiz Corredor in action during Thursday fight in Bangkok. With her split decision win, Viviana Ruiz Corredor claims the vacant WBA Asia Oceania strap, also improving her standing in the WBA world rankings where she is currently world's # 3. MORE RESULTS American rookie featherweight Jermaine Hardison impressively stepped into pro boxing with a big bang round one stoppage win over former Muay Thai combatant Sompol Santay of Thailand for fast and furious round one TKO win. The whole war lasted only 64 seconds, in which time both men managed to drop each other, though it was Hardison the one to allowed his blows talk louder, getting Sompol down on the canvas, from where he could not get up. Veteran Thai referee Worawuth Duankhao did not hesitate to waive the battle off. Fantastic first pro win for the tall American who seemed ready for more action in the 126-pound weight-class. Also, in a non-title fight, Genesis "Cobra" Libranza (21-3, 13 KO's) of Agusan del Sur, Philippines, scored a fast and furious round 2 TKO win over Thailand's Adisak Ketpiam. A body shot, ravaged the mid-section of Adisak, awarding the non-title win to the experienced 30-year-old Filipino. In more results, veteran Thai warrior former IBF Pan-Pacific titlist Sukpraserd Ponpitak (29-18, 20 KO's) shocked and outclassed younger Russian Mikael Arutyunyan (6-1, 3 KO's), for a majority decision win (should have been unanimous), although more than enough for the more active Sukpraserd to claim the vacant WBA Asia South Featherweight Title. In another women's fight, Hong Kong fighting lady Hin Ting Chan (4-0) bested Peeyalux Sanpokang (4-2) of Thailand over 10 rounds of action, scoring a unanimous decision win to conquer the WBC Female Light Flyweight Strap. Furthermore, promising 22-year-old slugger Chaiyapong Phongwankittikun (9-0, 8 KO's) of Thailand - who used to fight in shows of Tantelecom Promotions – stopped in three frames veteran Vachayan "Tiger" Khamon to claim the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) Featherweight Belt. In a disappointing result, Italian-German lightweight Pietro "Power" Loriga (13-1, 11 KO's) and Phatiphan Singmanasak Gym (17- 7) of Thailand ended their collision in a "Non-Contest" Result. That's because Phatiphan suffered a cut from an accidental elbow from Pietro, forcing the halting of actions in round two. The WBA Asia South Lightweight title that they were fighting for remains vacant. Hard-swinging 29-year-old Avzalbek Kuranbaev of Tajikistan (9-1-1, 7 KO's) ravaged with a power body shot in the 3rd round the mid-section of Indian warrior Mahesh (9-1, 5 KO's) to win the vacant WBA Asia Super Welterweight Championship. In addition, hard-hitting Malaysian 175-pounder Adli Hafidz (13-1, 8 KO's) stopped in four chapters Tanawat Ketsiri of Thailand to take home in Johore Bahru the brand-new green and silver WBC Asian Continental Light Heavyweight belt. The 16-bout show was a production of Brico Santig, head of Highland Boxing Promotions in association with Supanat Chanram and the luxurious SpacePlus Bangkok, live on MV TV. The full show can be found in the YouTube Channel of the Promoter. The author, boxing reporter Carlos Costa of Panama was in attendance during the marathon show, which was one of the last ones in the "Land of Smiles" for 2023. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp +639184538152. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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