FORMER WBC flyweight world champion Sonny Boy Jaro will fight Gerpaul Valero of the Flores Boxing Gym of Mandaue City on the undercard of the WBO world bantamweight title bout between champion Paulus Ambunda of Namibia and Japanese challenger Tomoki Kameda on Aug. 1 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The 30 year-old Jaro (34W-12L-5D, 24 KOs) made one of the biggest upsets in boxing last year when he stopped WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand in the 6th round in Chonburi, Thailand. But he lost his world crown in his first defense by split decision to Toshiyuki Igarashi in Saitama, Japan. He also lost his last fight to Hiroyuki Hisataka, also in Japan, by unanimous decision last April. Jaro fights out of the Jaro Boxing Gym of Binangonan, Rizal.
The 22 year-old Valero (14W-14L, 10 KOs) ruled the super flyweight category of the 2011 GMA boxing reality show and tournament ‘Buhay Boksingero.’
Before joining that boxing show, he had a losing record and was on the verge of quitting the fight game. But he was retooled by trainer Brix Flores and subsequently scored 12 straight wins. Valero’s unlikely winning run climaxed last year when he knocked out Marjun Macahilig of the ALA Gym in one round in Balamban, Cebu. His streak was stopped last January by another ALA boxer, Gerson Mancio, who beat Valero by unanimous decision at the Gaisano Country Mall. Valero bounced back last March by stopping Amero Ricablanca in four rounds in Liloan, Cebu.
This fight card will also feature Marlon ‘The Nightmare’ Tapales (22W-3L, 9 KOs) of Lanao del Norte against Mexican Edgar ‘Chololo’ Martinez (15W-7L, 9 KOs).
Ambunda (20-0, 10 KOs) vs. Kameda (27-0, 18 KOs) dubbed ‘Battle of the Undefeated’ is presented by Kameda Promotions, RWS Promotions and GMA TV. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr