Slam-bangers in San Vicente

MP Promotions’ “Blow By Blow” went to San Vicente in Metro Vigan, Ilocos Sur, last Wednesday and staged a 15-fight show that featured eight knockouts, including five in the first round. Governor Jerry Singson, vice governor Ryan Singson and provincial board member Vic Singson attended the event which was a highlight of the Ilocos Sur Festival on Jan. 29-Feb. 14.

In the main attraction, Albert Francisco stopped Robert Paradero at 1:52 of the fourth round to claim the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation flyweight title. Ringside physician Dr. John Pizarro ruled Paradero unfit to continue due to a laceration in his left ear and referee Elmer Costillos called a halt to the action.

Curiously, in 2022, Paradero inflicted the same injury on Gcina Makhoba in a 12-round bout for the World Boxing Foundation superflyweight crown in South Africa. Paradero floored Makhoba in the first round but later took two mandatory eight-counts enroute to losing via a unanimous decision. Makhoba survived a nasty cut in his ear and was hospitalized overnight after the brawl. Paradero started his career on an 18-0 tear but has now won only once in his last 13 outings. Francisco raised his record to 13-1, with nine KOs.

In the co-mainer, former world-rated Ar Ar Andales continued his climb back to prominence, knocking out Reymark Alicaba at 1:04 of the ninth. Andales was dropped in the first round but recovered to take the wind out of Alicaba’s sails. He wore down Alicaba with a relentless two-fisted attack and a right to the face was the coup de grace. Alicaba sat on the ropes as referee Jerrold Tomeldan completed the 10-count. Andales lost to Thai Knockout CP Freshmart on a sixth-round stoppage in a bid for the super WBA minimumweight crown in 2019 then bowed to Joey Lino before staying unbeaten in his next 10 bouts with three draws. Andales once held the lightly-regarded WBF minimumweight title and the man called Asero (Steel) is making it known he’s ready to take on all comers. Previous to his win over Alicaba, he defeated former IBF minimumweight beltholder Rene Mark Cuarto. His record is now 17-2-3, with seven KOs.

Referees and judges performed above par throughout the long card. Showing decisiveness in complying with the rules, referees didn’t hesitate to deduct points for continued excessive holding and foul blows. Fighters who got up from knockdowns glassy-eyed and rubbery-legged were promptly waved off. Referee Don Arguelles, for instance, didn’t bother to count when Sherwin Lombres went down from a shot to the jaw by Ronerick Ballesteros at 0:41 of the opening round and his first act was to pull out the gumshield from the fallen fighter’s mouth as he lay on the canvas. All the referees went about their business fairly while protecting the protagonists and preventing unnecessary punishment. As a result, no one was stretchered, no one was hospitalized and no one was fitted with an oxygen mask despite the high incidence of knockouts.