IT’S a pride of the Filipino people that our fellow Negrense Warlito Parreñas Jr. made a big name in the sports of boxing in Japan.
Parreñas, 35, who was born in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, is now based in Kawanishi, Japan. He has a record of 26 wins, 23 knockouts and nine losses.
Of three siblings, Parreñas is the second child of Warlito Sr., a government employee, and Ida Parreñas, a housewife.
Parreñas is married to Loverly Parohinog-Parreñas from Barangay Granada, Bacolod City and they have two sons, James Allen, 13, and Shan, 12.
At the age of 12, Parreñas started playing boxing through the encouragement of his father, who just passed away in 2017, and his cousin, who was a former boxer and member of Cadiz boxing team.
At first, Parreñas was hesitant to pursue this kind of sports because it’s not his dream to be a boxer. But since his father really loved the sports and was so supportive to his cousin, Parrenas decided to try it out and then joined the National Youth game in Bago City in 1999.
His good skills in boxing developed and at the age of 17, Parreñas was chosen to be part of the Philippine team in Baguio City where he finished his high school.
Parreñas was a former number one in World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight division and former WBO oriental champion. He is currently ranked 9th in Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation.
Parreñas said that before he became famous in Japan, he was one of the sparring partners of the Japanese boxers.
He said there were two Japanese brothers, both champions in Japan, who chose him to be their sparring partner.
“A Japanese promoter saw my skills in boxing and he offered me to play in Japan,” he added.
Parreñas revealed that through boxing, it has changed his life. He was really happy and thankful that he helped his family since it’s his dream to provide them a comfortable life.
“Half of my life is already in boxing. It’s an honor to represent our country. I’m thankful to God, my family and my bosses here in Japan, who gave me a chance to level up my boxing career. Thank you for all the people who supported me and always praying for my victory,” Parrenas said.
On May 10, Parreñas has challenged OPBF champion Kieta Kurihara from Japan, 26 year-old with 13 wins, 11 knockouts and five losses at Korahuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Let’s wait for the official result.