MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Vince Paras suffered his first loss in the worst possible time as he fell prey to defending champion Hiroto Kyoguchi in their International Boxing Federation world minimumweight title bout in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, May 20.

Paras was primed to become the next Filipino titleholder after he floored Kyoguchi in the 3rd round but the Japanese controlled the 12-round fight throughout en route to a unanimous decision win with identical 117-110 scores from all the 3 judges. 

A win for the 19-year-old pride of General Santos City could have resulted to another all-Filipino world title clash with compatriot Mark Barriga becoming the mandatory challenger for the minimumweight belt after he defeated Gabriel Mendoza last week through a near shutout UD triumph. 

Jerwin Ancajas and Jonas Sultan will lock horns for the IBF super flyweight title on May 27 (Philippine time) in Fresno, California in the first all-Filipino world title duel in 93 years. 

The 19-year-old Paras saw his record drop to 13-1-0 (11 knockouts) while Kyoguchi remained unscathed in 10 bouts (7 KOs). 

On the other hand, Barriga (9-0-0, 1 KO), who is now in the USA as part of defending champion Ancajas’ camp, will meet Kyoguchi in his first shot at a world title. – Rappler.com