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Philippines, 14 Mar 2026 |
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Knockout Punch: Cebuano AJ Paciones Powers Through to TKO Victory in Thailand, Edges Closer to World Title Showdown By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Mon, 02 Jun 2025  AJ Paciones drops Yotbek. BANGKOK, Thailand — In a thrilling display of skill and determination, world-ranked 20-year-old Filipino sensation Arvin Jhon "AJ" Paciones (11-0, 6 KOs) scored a crushing second-round TKO over Thai veteran Sanchai Yotbek (18-9, 12 KOs) at the exciting FCC/Highland Boxinf promotion on May 31 at the World Siam Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The clash, contested for the vacant WBO Oriental Flyweight Belt, showcased Paciones' impressive prowess in the ring and solidified his position as a rising star in the boxing world. From the opening bell, Paciones asserted his dominance, unleashing a relentless barrage of precise body shots that left Yotbek reeling. The Thai fighter, known for his tenacity and resilience, refused to back down despite being knocked down three times in the first round. Each time, the strong Yotbek beat the count, earning the admiration of the crowd with his fighting spirit. However, Paciones' superior technique and speed proved too much for Yotbek to handle. The Filipino fighter's strategy, planned by his father and coach, Do Dong, was clear: wear down his opponent with precise body shots, exploit his weaknesses, and capitalize on the momentum. As the rounds progressed, Paciones' plan came to fruition, and Yotbek's ability to defend himself began to wane. The final blow came in the second round, as Paciones landed a perfectly placed body shot that sent Yotbek crashing to the canvas for the fourth and final time. This time, the count reached ten, and the WBO third man Sawaeng Thaweekoon was left with no choice but to wave off the fight.  Raising the Filipino's hand were WBO Vice President Leon Panoncillo of Hawaii, and German Promoter Rainer Gottwald. The victory marked another impressive performance for AJ Paciones, who continues to build momentum and solidify his reputation as one of the most promising young boxers in the sport. With this stoppage win, Paciones improves his standing in the world ratings, potentially paving the way for a world title showdown. He is currently ranked by the IBF and WBA. As Paciones and his management look to the future, the possibilities are endless for this talented young fighter. Although a potential bout against Erick Rosa (8-0, 2 KOs) for the WBA title hasn't materialized, claiming the WBO Oriental title may open other doors for AJ Paciones. His promoters, Vietnam's SSC (Saigon Sports Club/Shadow Entertainment), and Sean Gibbons' Viva Promotions, will likely consider this development when planning his next move. Would Paciones love to challenge Kenshiro Teraji (25-1, 16 KOs), Anthony Olascuaga (9-1, 6 KOs) or Masamichi Yabuki (18-4, 17 KOs)? Absolutely. Time will tell. In the meantime, boxing fans in the Philippines, Vietnam, and elsewhere will be eagerly waiting for AJ Paciones' next fight, wanting to see if he can maintain his unbeaten record intact as he continues to make his mark on the sport. With his sights set on becoming a world champion, Paciones is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young fighters to watch in the coming years. Photos by Philboxing.com, The Filipino Boxing Portal The author, veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa, can be reached at carlo512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp +639284538152. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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