VINCE Paras dominated fellow former world title challenger Robert Paradero by unanimous decision to win the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia South flyweight strap in their rematch last Sunday night, Oct. 9, 2022, at BF Homes Gym in Parañaque City.
Paras got the nod of all three judges with scores of 117-109, 116-110 and 115-111.
Paras improved to 18-2-1 with 15 knockouts, while Paradero dropped to 18-3-1 with 12 knockouts.
Paras will most likely break into the WBA flyweight rankings after winning the regional belt. He’s currently ranked No. 15 by the International Boxing Fedration (IBF) in the flyweight division. The current IBF titleholder is an unbeaten Ukranian Artem Dalakian.
The 23-year-old Paras may return to title contention soon, this time at the 115-pound weight division. But Paras’ promoter JC Manangquil won’t rush into a world title fight just yet and slow it down a bit.
“We’re looking for bigger fights for him abroad. But we’ll take our time, he’s still very young. He’s just 23 years old,” Sanman Promotions chief executive officer Manangquil told SunStar Cebu.
Paras, at just 19 years old, fought for a world title back in 2018 in Japan. Paras challenged Hiroto Kyoguchi for the IBF minimumweight belt and lost via a lopsided unanimous decision.
Paras and Paradero fought for the first time last April 26 in Gen. Santos City. The fight ended in a split draw.