‘Blow By Blow’ with a bang
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 Mar 2025
A slam-bang “Blow By Blow” show preceded the recent Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night at the Okada Manila Resort and Casino. There were eight fights on the bill with three championships at stake. Witnessing the action were icons of royalty from the past, present and future. WBC minimumweight titlist Melvin Jerusalem and IBF minimumweight ruler Pedro Taduran were in the house. Former world beltholders Rene Barrientos, Rolando Navarrete, Tacy Macalos and Luisito Espinosa came. None was more celebrated than the only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao whose "Blow By Blow" staff has conspired with Johnny and Liza Elorde to organize the annual Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night that made its debut last year.
Renowned international referee and judge Bruce McTavish was warmly applauded when he received the Ring Excellence Award. McTavish, 83, was with wife Carmen, their two daughters and son-in-law. The future was represented by Vencent Lacar and Arvin Jhon Paciones who were cited as Most Promising Boxers. Vencent and Jhon are how they spell their names. Lacar, 27, is the WBO Oriental and WBC Far East flyweight king with a 9-0 record, including four KOs and two wins abroad. Paciones, 20, is based in Vietnam and has compiled a 10-0 slate, with five KOs and nine wins abroad. Paciones is WBA’s No. 2 lightflyweight and is in line for a world title shot since No. 1 is vacant.
Among the VIPs who attended were former DILG secretary Ben-Hur Abalos, POC president Mayor Bambol Tolentino, Paranaque Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, WBO Asia-Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo, GAB chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, Rotary Governor Jackie Rodriguez, former Tourism Secretary Vince Carlos, two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons.
The main event featured former IBF minimumweight ruler Rene Mark Cuarto against southpaw Arvin (Hurricane) Magramo for the vacant WBC International lightflyweight crown. Magramo decked Cuarto twice in the fifth and was dominant in winning by a unanimous 12-round decision. Cuarto’s trainer Nonoy Neri said making weight was a struggle. Cuarto has now lost five of his last seven outings, two by KO in Japan. Magramo raised his record to 19-2-1, with 11 KOs.
In the chief aperitif, referee Sammy Bernabe stopped it at 2:36 of the third frame after Adrian (Wild Beast) Lerasan dropped Noli James Maquilan with a left to the jaw. Maquilan’s body contorted on the canvas when he fell but he got up only to be hammered, prompting Bernabe to step in. Lerasan took the vacant Philippine bantamweight title in the process. He has won five fights in Thailand, all by KO and one in Kazakhstan but lost in South Africa, Japan and Tanzania. His record improved to 15-8, with 7 KOs. In a tenner, Roderick Bautista floored Alec Bonita twice before it was called off at 1:36 of the third. The WBC Asia silver flyweight title would’ve gone to Bautista but since he scaled 2.1 pounds over the limit, the throne stayed vacant. Bautista, 20, upped his record to 8-0, with five KOs and promised to be within weight in his next bout.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Feb 2026