The Flash Grand ballroom of the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque was filled in every corner last Saturday when the Elorde brothers, Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde and Juan Miguel “The Boss” Elorde, crafted identical technical knockout wins over their rivals Aekkawee Kaewmanee of Thailand and Erick Deztroyer of Indonesia in a promotion dubbed “Boxing Kontra Droga” presented by Johnny Elorde Management International in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Manila Premier.
Bai Elorde kept his WBO Oriental lightweight crown by TKO when his opponent Kaewmanee refused to continue before the start of the seventh round.
The first two rounds saw an even exchange of punches between the two but Bai kept his composure amidst a sellout crowd that included his grandmother Laura Elorde, wife of the great Flash Elorde at ringside and family members.
Bai’s combination of upper and right hook staggered the opponent. Bai continued to pressure Kaewmanee with solid blows to the body that left so many unanswered punches from the Thai opponent. The latter did not rise from his seat and referee Ferdinand Estrella declared a TKO win by Elorde, who now registers 22 wins with 9 K0s , 1 loss and 1 draw.
On the other hand, younger brother Mig started strongly that saw a knockdown on the first round over Erick Deztroyer.
Erick tried to engage Mig in the succeeding rounds but on several occasions received severe blows from Mig who is rated no. 3 in the WBO world rankings.
The second knockdown came on the fourth round but referee Bruce Mctavish ruled it a slip.
Mig’s successful defense of his WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight title will improve his ratings and a possible crack at the world crown.
Mayor Edwin Olivarez of Parañaque and newly-appointed Games & Amusements Board boxing chief Jun Bautista and WBO representative awarded the belts and the trophies.
In the other championship match, Randy Braga had his hands full for 12 rounds over challenger Landy Cris Leon but got the judges nod to keep his Philippine featherweight crown.