17 hours Ago By Edri K. Aznar
YOUNG prospect Albert Francisco proved he’s ready for the next level after an impressive fourth-round stoppage of former world title challenger Robert Paradero in the main event of Manny Pacquiao’s “Blow by Blow” show last Feb. 12, 2025, at the San Vicente Municipal Gym in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur. The fight was stopped in the fourth round due to Paradero’s bleeding left ear, which was apparently caused by a punch from Francisco.
Francisco bounced back from a loss to Mark Vicelles in his last outing last year. The 24-year-old Francisco won the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight belt and improved to 13-1 with nine knockouts. Paradero continued his downward spiral, suffering his third straight defeat and fell to 19-10-2 with 13 knockouts.
In the main supporting bout, world-rated ArAr Andales (17-2-3, 7 KOs) scored a ninth-round knockout of Reymark Alicaba (9-6, 7 KOs) to win the interim PBF flyweight strap. In the undercard, Ronald Toyogon (8-0-1, 4 KOs) handed Cebuano prospect Sherwin Dacullo (4-1-1, 2 KOs) his first career loss via a razor-thin split decision and Junibert Bantay (7-0, 1 KO) outclassed Reymar Andonga (5-1,2 KOs) by unanimous decision. Jhonel Lastimosa (2-0-1, 1 KO) fought Roger Esclamado (3-0-1, 1 KO) to a split draw, Mark Anthony Hapin (2-0-2) settled for a technical draw with Richard Marino (2-0-1, 2 KOs), while Ronerick Ballesteros (4-0-1, 3 KOs) made quick work of Sherwin Lombres (3-3-1, 1 KO) with a first round-stoppage.
Reycar Escriber (4-2, 1 KO) walked away with a split decision over John Paul Perez (2-2), Aljohn Gualves (1-0-1) fought John Paul Buligan (0-0-1) to a majority draw, and Bishounen Subion (1-0, 1 KO) had a successful pro debut with a first-round technical knockout of John Andrew Arizobal (0-2). Angelo Hapin (2-0-1, 2 KOs) stopped Carl Villafranca (0-3) in the opening round, Cyrus Gavina (2-0-1, 2 KOs) demolished Abdul Alindar (0-2) in four rounds, while Ricky Batio-an (2-1, 1 KO) beat John Michael Jacinto (0-1-1) by majoirty decision. Francisco Remolacio (2-1-1, 1 KO) destroyed Joshua Lang-ayan (0-2-1) in the first round and Alvin Toledo (1-0, 1 KO) scored a first-round stoppage of Clarence Navarro (0-1).
/ EKA.
