AJ Paciones Stops Wanchai, Retains WBA Asia 108 Belt in Thailand
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 29 Mar 2024
Bangkok, Thailand — Congratulated by promoters and friends after his fast and exciting round one stoppage win, unbeaten world-ranked Filipino AJ Paciones (8-0, 5 KO’s), is still the WBA Asia Light Flyweight Champion!
AJ Paciones’ main event title victory over Thai challenger Wanchai Nianghansa unfolded during the Highland Boxing Promotion’s “Fire & Fury” 15-bout show on Thursday, March 28, at the plush SpacePlus Night Club in Bangkok Thailand.
From the getgo, the laser-focused Pinoy came forward at his more experienced foe, landing on him with damaging blows, not giving a second to the Thai fighter to think nor launch a counter-attack.
Near the two minute mark, AJ rocked and dropped Wanchai, sending him to the grey-colored canvas, a moment in time that evidenced the superiority of the Filipino, and the imminent coming demise of the Thai warrior.
Once Wanchai regained his vertical, AJ was again all over him, damaging him even further with a variety of hooks and uppercuts until veteran Thai referee Prommase Chakshuraksha wave the battle off, sparing his compatriot from more punishment, the chronometer getting stopped at the 2 minute 30 second mark in chapter one. It was fast!
With the thrilling triumph, the promising 19-year-old Paciones presses forward with confidence his young boxing career in the light flyweight division, although his team is considering a possible move to flyweights.
Fighting out of Vietnam’s SSC Boxing Gym in Ho Chi Minh City, the tall AJ Paciones is trained by his dad/coach popular former fighter Do Dong.
AJ Paciones is currently ranked as WBA #14 in the world in the 108-pound weight-class, a number likely to improve in the next rankings.
In the same show, Bicolano 147-pounder Ador Torres (11-4-1, 8 KO’s), knocked out crafty Thailander Wanphichit Siriphana in four frames to take home the ABF Welterweight Belt.
Torres, who last Sunday was one of the awardees during the 1st Pacquiao-Elorde Gala Dinner in Manila, will stay in Bangkok for a few more days, flying back to Pinoyland on April 8.
IN ATTENDANCE
In attendance during the title wins of the Filipinos were WBA Asia Secretary General Won Kim, Vietnam Boxing Commission Chairman Chris Luu, Thailand Sports Authority Chairman Naris Singwancha, Thailand Boxing Commission Chairman Chalerm Prayadsab, Highland Boxing Promotions Director Brico Santig, Renown China boxing promoter Liu Gang, SpacePlus Night Club owner Tony Chen, and boxing executive Royal Thai Army Major General Damrong Simakajornboon.
The author, veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa, attended the exciting event. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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