Pacquiao, Lorona in third grudge match
By Dennis Principe
23.05 - ANTIPOLO City, Philippines - Mayhem is expected to hold sway tonight at the Ynares Center in this city as defending Philippine superfeatherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao and Baby Lorona, Jr. meet each other for the third time to determine who between them deserves to be called champion.
In their first meeting on November 20, 2002 at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Parañaque City, Pacquiao scored a unanimous but close 12-round decision against Lorona. It was Pacquiaos first title defense since winning the belt from Renato Inal.
In their non-title rematch last March 15 at the Rizal Park, Lorona evened the score by scoring a humiliating 7th round knockout over the 23-year old Pacquiao, younger brother of world champion Manny Pacquiao.
This time, however, Pacquiao will stake his crown to add more prestige to their third grudge match which is fast turning out to be personal.
In a must-see 10-rounder, fast-rising Cebuano flyweight Sherwin Paro will try to stretch his unbeaten record when he battles veteran beakbuster Albert Cesa.
Paro, a 19-year old protégé of boxing benefactor Antonio L. Aldeguer, is a bemedalled former amateur standout whose professional record currently stands at 8-0, 5 of which came by way of knockout.
In his last outing, Paro bludgeoned US campaigner Jing Supremo inside two rounds which propelled him to the top spot of the Philippine flyweight rankings currently ruled by stablemate Z Gorres.
Also, RP featherweight king Jeffrey Oñate defends his crown versus 5th-ranked contender Dante Chowking Paulino in a 12-round title fight.
This explosive card, dubbed Bakbakan sa Ynares, is another free-to-the-public boxing event promoted by Gabriel Bebot Elorde, Jr. and is presented by former Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares.