Paras faces Paradero in a rematch

FORMER world title challengers Vince Paras and Robert Paradero are set on a collision course on Oct. 5 for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia South flyweight belt in Parañaque City.It’ll be a rematch of their April 24 fight in General Santos City that ended in a split draw. Judge Brembot Dulalas saw the 23-year-old Paras winning by a convincing margin of 98-92, while judge Rodolfo Alocelja scored it the other way with a closer 96-94 score in favor of Paradero. Judge Sabas Ponpon Jr. scored it even at 95-95.Since their first encounter, Paras won a first round stoppage of Jovanie Tagusi in a keep-busy fight last month, while the 26-year-old Paradero hasn’t fought a single fight in almost five months.Paras fought for a world title once in his career back in 2018. He challenged then International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi and lost by unanimous decision.Paradero, in the meantime, fought for a world title twice. His first attempt was last year against Vic Saludar for the vacant WBA minimumweight strap in Biñan City. He lost to Saludar via split decision. He then challenged WBA minimumweight super champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong that same year and was knocked out in five rounds in Thailand. Paradero is still world-ranked by No. 20 by the WBC as a minimumweight.Paras is 17-2-1 with 15 knockouts, while Paradero is 18-2-1 with 12 knockouts.