JACA SHINES IN VEGAS, GETS STAR TREATMENT TOO
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 23 Jan 2006
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA--Sibulan, Negros-raised Jimrex Jaca has just found out that when you outshine the klieg lights in Vegas, you're treated as if you were royalty.
Yesterday, Jaca found his own measure of fame when he knocked out Mexican Geronimo Hernandez with just 2:43 gone in the first round, virtually opening a floodgate of opportunities for the 22-year-old southpaw in the United States.
"Grabeha, sikat kaayo Jimrex. Daghan na ga-offer," announced Jaca's manager Rex "Wakee" Salud, who was at ringside to watch his ward perform.
A big left downed Hernandez midway through the opening round, and after referee Joe Cortez tolled the count, Jaca went in for the kill, using another big left to down Hernandez for good.
After the fight, Filipino and Mexican fans immediately mobbed Jaca for photo ops at the Thomas and Mack Center, and upon arriving at the Wynn Hotel, was again seen being mobbed by the hotel's rmoneyed clientele.
"This was a far cry from the kid who used to fight for a living inside a military camp in Negros," said a boxing observer, citing Jaca's humble beginnings before he was discovered by Cebuano Anol Jaca, from whom he gets his ring name.
His real name is Jimuel Divino, so "Jimrex" means Jimwell and Rex Salud combined.
The win improved Jaca's record to 25-1-1, 12 KO's.
"Boss Wakee has told me that I will be staying longer here to train. But I already miss my family," Jaca told this writer in Cebuano moments after the fight.
Jaca, however, said he is determined to do whatever it takes to become a world champion someday.
END
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
Thu, 02 Oct 2025IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Thu, 02 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 02 Oct 2025World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Sep 2025