Paradero ignores stats

Robert Paradero is unbeaten but the record shows that 12 of his 18 victims had more losses than wins so his pristine mark of 18-0, with 12 KOs, may be deceiving. Still, Paradero insists that the quality of his opposition won’t matter when he battles former world champion Vic Saludar in a scheduled 12-round bout for the vacant “regular” WBA minimumweight crown in the Biñan, Laguna football stadium this Saturday afternoon. As far as he’s concerned, it’s a do-or-die fight and losing isn’t an option.

Paradero, 24, is a brawler who claims to fight like his idols Sen. Manny Pacquiao and WBO bantamweight titlist JohnRiel Casimero. Four of his 12 KOs came in the first round and that’s an indication he’s a fast starter. The only thing on his mind right now is to become a world champion so he can start bringing in the big bucks for his family in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Paradero’s motivation is to provide for the twilight years of his father Federico, 78, and mother Rosalita, 66. He’s the youngest of five. His three brothers are construction workers and his sister is employed as a cleaner in the Malaybalay police station. His sister’s husband Wing Florida was a pro boxer from 1989 to 1994 and their son Mark Anthony is an active fighter with a 12-9 record. It was Wing who introduced Paradero to boxing when he was nine. “Hilig ko lang mag-boksing,” said Paradero, who got his nickname “Inggo” because he’s a spitting image of actor Makisig Morales in the TV series “Super Inggo.” “Dami nagsabi na may talent ako kaya pinursigi kong mag-insayo.”

Over the last two years, Paradero has seriously dated his girlfriend Vanessa but marriage plans are on hold. “Wala pa kaming balak magpakasal,” he said. “Focus lang ako sa training. Kailangan kong manalo upang makaahon sa kahirapan ang pamilya ko. Ang ama ko dating taga-akyat ng niyog sa puno at ang ina ko tumutulong sa bukid at nagbebenta ng luto niyang pagkain.”

Once the WBO No. 1 contender, Paradero found himself in the WBA ratings at No. 5 and promoter Bebot Elorde was able to negotiate a duel for the vacant “regular” throne with No. 4 contender Saludar.  A high school graduate, Paradero said it’s not right to downgrade his opponents. His last victim Jonathan Almacen was a former WBC Asian Boxing Council silver minimumweight champion whom he stopped in the first round. Another tough foe was Royder Borbon who lost on points to Paradero for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth crown. No doubt, Saludar is more experienced with a 20-4 record, including 11 KOs, but Paradero said he’s prepared to thrash the 30-year-old veteran whose nickname is “Vicious.” The fight has been postponed thrice and now that it’s finally coming off the wraps, Paradero said he’s not leaving anything to chance. He’s determined to beat Saludar convincingly.