Jonathan Taconing stops Silvano in 11 at Elorde Awards

Jm Siasat

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When Jonathan Taconing prophesied prior to their fight that neither he nor Vergilio Silvano would back off from brutal exchanges, he couldn’t have been more correct.

'LIGHTNING' STRIKES. Jonathan Taconing (L) and trainer Eddie Ballaran (R) pose after Taconing's victory. Photo by JM Siasat/Rappler

PASAY, Philippines- When Jonathan Taconing prophesied prior to their fight that neither he nor Vergilio Silvano would back off from brutal exchanges, he couldn’t have been more correct.

In one of the most exciting bouts the country has hosted in recent years, the 27-year-old Taconing (18-2-1, 15 knockouts) of Zamboanga del Norte prevailed, winning the vacant OPBF light flyweight title via 11th round TKO at the 14th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Awards at Sofitel in Pasay City, Philippines. 

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The left-handed Silvano (18-4-1, 10 KOs) wasted no time in attacking Taconing with jabs and lead right uppercuts in the first round. Taconing from time to time would gauge the game Silvano and had his share of moments with his trademark body punches and inside fighting.

Taconing started to find his rhythm in round two, punishing Silvano with hard shots to the head and body. For his part, Silvano took the shots well, throwing and landing punches of his own in return. 

Both fighters engaged in heated exchanges early in round 3 with Taconing being able to hurt Silvano with his relentless pressure and body punching. 

Silvano got the better of Taconing in round 4. Silvano landed several left straights and right hooks both to the head and body, hurting and pinning Taconing to the ropes at one point.

Silvano tried to box in round 5 but eventually gave in to trading shots due to Taconing’s consistent pressure. Taconing outlanded Silvano in this round, making his opponent exert his best effort into rallying back before the round ends. 

In round 6, the Cebu City native Silvano was deducted a point for repeated low blows. Silvano had another point deducted in round 7, this time for landing shots to Taconing’s thighs.  

The fight continued in this pattern until round 10, where Taconing took a breather. Silvano took advantage of this and pressured Taconing, eventually landing combinations to the head.

Silvano, now way behind the scorecards, became desperate and pressed forward. His effort backfired as he took punishing combinations both to the head and body, prompting his corner to stop the fight at 1:42 of round 11.

“He (Silvano) was strong, aggressive and hungry to win,” said Taconing, the new OPBF light flyweight title holder. “I want to thank him for giving me a good fight.”

Both Taconing and Silvano are former world title challengers. Taconing lost in his bid for the WBC junior flyweight title against Kompayak Porpramoom in Thailand via a controversial technical decision in 5 rounds in 2012. Silvano dropped a 12-round unanimous decision defeat against Katsunari Takayama when they fought last year for the IBF strawweight title.

Taconing has now won five straight fights by knockout, while Silvano has two of his last three bouts.

In the co-main event, Monico Laurente (24-10, 5 KOs) retained his Philippine bantamweight title by defeating Jetro Pabustan (22-2-5, 6 KOs) via technical split decision. 

Laurente started the bout with gauging jabs and movement while Pabustan was eager to hurt the defending champion, throwing straight lefts and right hooks right of the bat.

Pabustan was aggressive but was hardly landing in round two. Laurente started to dig the body, landing clean shots on the challenger as he boxed and moved his way towards the end of the round.

Laurente had his fighting distance figured by round 3. Pabustan tried to work the body but was not landing.

Laurente’s body shots and right straights were starting to visibly wear Pabustan down in round 4. Pabustan nevertheless kept trying, hurting Laurente on the ropes as he rallied before the round ended.

Laurente and Pabustan got into a heated exchange which resulted in an accidental headbutt, opening a huge cut on Laurente’s right eyebrow. The bout was stopped at the advise of the ring physician, the official time was 2:00 of round 5.

Juan Miguel Elorde (15-1, 7 KOs), grandson of the late hall of famer Gabriel “Flash” Elorde impressed against Indonesia’s Budi Risky (8-4, 5 KOs).

Risky eagerly started the fight with jabs and overhand rights. The 27-year-old Elorde kept Risky at bay with his movement and crisp left jabs. Risky, through his best effort, landed a hard right hand on Elorde in the middle of the round. Elorde kept his cool and it paid dividends when a well timed short left hook landed on Risky’s jaw, dropping the latter and getting counted out at 2:11 of round 1. – Rappler.com

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