MANILA, Philippines – World-rated Filipino fighter Jonathan Taconing is set to defend his WBC-affiliated Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight championship against compatriot Jomar Fajardo on Saturday, September 12, at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque City.
Taconing (21-2-1, 18 knockouts), who won the OPBF title when he routed Vergilio Silvano via 11th-round technical knockout in March 2014, is coming off an impressive 10th-round stoppage of ex-world titleholder Ramon Garcia Hirales in April.
The 28-year-old southpaw from Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, finished Hirales in decisive fashion, delivering 3 right hooks that sent his Mexican opponent reeling into the ropes. The match was stopped with just 7 seconds left.
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Taconing is currently ranked as the No.1 contender for the WBC light flyweight crown, which is now in the possession of Pedro Guevara.
Fajardo (14-8-2, 7 KOs) is 0-4-1 in his last 5 outings, and has not won a single bout since knocking out fellow Pinoy boxer Michael Borja in the second round of their March 2014 meeting.
In addition, Fajardo has fought thrice overseas this year, including a rematch with Francisco Rodriguez Jr in January after their November 2014 first encounter resulted into a split draw.
Fajardo, 23, went the distance with the former world champion again but eventually dropped a unanimous decision to Rodriguez, whom WBO light flyweight kingpin Donnie Nietes outpointed when both men crossed paths in July.
Aside from the Taconing-Fajardo duel, Johnny Elorde-promoted fight card is set to feature Juan Martin (17-1-1, 7 KOs) and Juan Miguel Elorde (18-1 9 KOs), who battle Indonesian visitors Yakobus Heluka (8-12, 1 KO) and Caem Rasmanudin (19-11-3, 10 KOs), respectively.
Mandaluyong’s Tiger City Boxing Gym will also field two of its boxers as Daffy Dempo (2-4, 2 KOs) squares off with Japanese pugilist Kenta Ide (2-1-1, 1 KO) in a 138-pound catchweight contest, while Robin Dingcong (0-3-1) faces debuting Jaime Escanaries in a 4-round bantamweight bout. – Rappler.com