VERGILIO Silvano once again lost to Aston Palicte in their rematch last Friday night in an exhilarating war.
Silvano, a one-time world title challenger, put on a gallant performance but was knocked out in the seventh round of their scheduled 12-rounder for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Pan Pacific title at the Jurado Hall of the Philippine Marine Corp. in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The 25-year-old Silvano was dropped by a bigger and stronger Palicte in the third round. But Silvano, a native of Dalaguete, showed a huge heart and fought back, knocking down the towering Palicte in the fifth round.
?He was trying to catch up,? Omega Pro Sports International vice-president Chad Ca?ares told Sun.Star Cebu.
End in seven
However, as Silvano rallied, a tired Palicte caught him with an uppercut coming in and knocked him out in the seventh.
Silvano dropped to 21-7-1 with 12 knockouts, while Palicte improved to 21-2 with 18 knockouts.
Silvano has never won in all three of his fights at 115. His super flyweight fight against Palicte last year ended in a unanimous decision loss, a fight in which he was dropped twice.
?The weight was too big for him. The weight he should be in is 112,? said Omega Boxing Gym coach Jerald Tepora, who was in Silvano?s corner.
Ca?ares feels that Silvano, who had a five-inch height disadvantage against Palicte, should move back down to a lower weight class.
?He will return to 112,? he said. ?He wanted to fight. It was a team decision, a fighter?s decision.?
