The Ilocos Sur Festival, an annual celebration of the province’s founding anniversary held every February, featured extra fireworks this year as Manny Pacquiao’s Blow-by-Blow Boxing Promotions hosted a double championship event at the San Vicente Ilocos Sur Gymnasium on February 12 as part of the month-long festivities.
The event was graced by Governor Jerry Singson, Vice Governor Ryan Luis Singson, and SPM Victor Singson, the Chairperson of the Blow-by-Blow committee. Prominent boxing promoters, including Johnny and Lisa Elorde, Brico Santig, and Darwin Miller Dep-ay, were also in attendance.
This rare, high-caliber professional boxing event drew enthusiastic Ilocano sports fans and demonstrated the region’s growing passion for the sport. With Ilocos Sur’s commitment to supporting and developing boxing, this event should become a staple of the Ilocos Sur Festival moving forward.
Arar Andales’ Relentless Pressure Stops Reymark Alicaba
And the new PBF Interim Flyweight Champion—Arar Andales!
For seasoned boxing pundits, Andales’ move up in weight raised eyebrows. Ranked No. 13 by the IBF at Junior Flyweight (108 lbs) and standing just 5’2, Andales began his career at minimumweight (105 lbs). Now stepping up to flyweight (112 lbs), he faced the taller 5’6 Reymark Alicaba in a true test of his abilities.
Golpe De Gulat Knockout!
Alicaba made an explosive start, dropping Andales in the opening round—a moment that stunned the crowd. From my vantage point near the neutral corner, I noticed some concern in Andales’ corner, which included his stablemate, IBA Pro Middleweight Champion Weljon Mindoro.
However, Andales quickly recovered, showing his resilience. Sticking to his trademark high-pressure, close-quarters style, he pushed forward relentlessly. Alicaba initially countered well with footwork and combinations but struggled to maintain his stamina as the rounds progressed.
The fight reached a dramatic conclusion in Round 9 when Alicaba, attempting a counter combination, ran into a short right hand from Andales. As the saying goes, it’s the punch you don’t see that hurts the most—and Alicaba was out cold, seated on the canvas, dazed. Unable to beat the referee’s count, Andales secured the knockout victory, proving his power in the higher weight class.
With this win, Andales improves to 17 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws, while Alicaba falls to 9 wins, 6 losses.
Albert Francisco Stages Comeback Win Against a Determined Robert Paradero
Despite his record, Robert Paradero entered the fight determined. Speaking to me before the bout, he said, “Laban lang, Sir Pow! Gagawin ko ang best ko para manalo.” Unfortunately, despite his efforts, he suffered another tough loss—though not without putting up a fight.
“I Can Hear the Blood”
The crowd erupted as Francisco and Paradero exchanged blows in a thrilling contest. As expected, Paradero threw wild haymakers, always posing a knockout threat. However, Francisco showcased improved discipline, likely learning from his previous 5 round knockdown and Decision loss to Vicelles—his only career defeat.
Francisco’s sharper, more calculated approach paid off, landing clean, effective shots. One of these punches busted open Paradero’s left ear, causing profuse bleeding. Rather than slowing down, Paradero charged forward, engaging in a firefight.
However, the referee was forced to intervene, calling in the ringside doctor. The fight was stopped in Round 4 due to excessive bleeding, resulting in a TKO victory for Francisco.
With this loss, Paradero drops to 19 wins, 10 losses, and 2 draws, with all 10 defeats coming since 2021. Meanwhile, Francisco rebounds as the new PBF Flyweight Champion, improving to 13 wins and 1 loss.
The logical next step? A unification bout between Francisco and Andales, as they now hold the PBF Flyweight and Interim Flyweight titles, respectively.
Undercard Highlights
Junibert Bantay vs. Remar Andonga
A tactical yet exciting fight saw Bantay secure a unanimous decision victory.
Roland Toyogon vs. Sherwin Dacullo – Fight of the Night?
A true blow-by-blow war! Toyogon edged out a split decision victory, but Dacullo’s fans disagreed. A rematch? Round 9, anyone?
Ronerick Ballesteros – Knockout of the Night
Ballesteros delivered a scary knockout, flooring Sherwin Lombres with a massive left hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight immediately.
Mark Anthony Hapin vs. Richard Marino – Technical Draw
A rematch is inevitable.
Jhonel Lastimosa vs. Roger Esclamado – Undefeated Records on the Line
Both fighters refused to lose, ending in a split draw. Blow-by-Blow should book a rematch to settle the score.
Reycar Escriber vs. John Paul Peres
A six-round battle saw Escriber take a decision victory.
Rest of the Results:
- Francisco Remolacio def. Joshua Lang-Ayan – TKO 1
- Bishounen Dubion def. John Andrew Arizobal – TKO 1
- Angelo Hapin def. Carl Villafranca – TKO 1
- Aljohn Gualves vs. John Paul Buligan – Majority Draw
- Cyrus Gavina def. Abdul Alinader – TKO 1
- Ricky Batio-an def. John Michael Jacinto – Majority Decision
- Alvin def. Clarence Navarro – TKO 1
Next Up: Boxing at the Pacquiao-Elorde Awards
Manny Pacquiao’s Blow-by-Blow Boxing in Ilocos Sur was a knockout success, delivering TV-worthy production and truly competitive matchups. The event, expertly matched by Art Monis, once again proved why Blow-by-Blow is a must-watch for fight fans.
Next on the calendar: Blow-by-Blow heads back to Manila for another high-profile event at Okada Manila during the 2nd Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night on March 22.
And here’s a teaser—one of the featured fighters shares the same bloodline as the 8-division world champion himself and could be facing his first foreign opponent.
See you there. Boom Boom Pow!
*You can find video highlights of all the fights on Powcast sports Social Media channels
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