Jaro raring to defend WBC crown

MANILA, Philippines - World Boxing Council flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro will fight anyone, anytime, anywhere for the first defense of his crown.

As it is, however, it looks like it’s going to be Japan’s Toshiyuki Igarashi who will challenge the 29-year-old Filipino for the 112 lb title.

It could be in June, either in Manila or Japan.

Jaro graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s along United Nations Avenue together with his manager and distant relative Aljoe Jaro.

“I will fight anyone my manager puts in front of me. Kahit sino po,” said the boxer from Silay in Negros Occidental.

“We’re currently negotiating with the Japanese camp. As champions, we can insist in holding the fight in Manila. But if they insist on holding it in Japan, we’ll see,” said Aljoe.

He said it may be difficult to convince Igarashi to come to the Philippines to fight Jaro but said there’s really no problem if it is held in Japan.

“It will depend on the negotiations. If nothing comes out of this, then we can hold a bidding,” the manager said.

Jaro said he’s willing to defend his title against Igarashi in Japan as long as he gets more than what he could get if the fight is staged in the Philippines.

“It’s okay for me to fight in Japan. Mas malaki ang pera,” said Jaro.

“Kahit sino. Basta pagbubutihan ko lalo (Whoever it is. I will strive harder),” he added.

It’s been almost two weeks since Jaro pulled off a stunning sixth-round knockout of Thai legend Pongsaklek Wongjongkam in Chonburi, Thailand.

And Jaro, who went 8-2 as an amateur before he turned pro in 2000, is enjoying every minute of it, as well as members of his family.

“We’re all happy at the moment,” said Jaro, married and with two sons, the eldest at two years and the other at six months.

His father, Gerry, saw him upon his return to Manila last week, and is now back plying his trade, as a shoemaker, in their home province.

“Nabalatuan ko ng konti pero masaya siya at ang nanay ko,” said Jaro of his father.

Jaro went against all odds to wrest the crown from Wongjongkam who in his initial reign as WBC flyweight champion defended the title 21 times.

Jaro’s knockout win stunned his manager and even himself.

“Pati ako nagulat eh (I myself was surprised),” he said.

But while his victory over Pongsaklek, who went down four times en route to the stoppage, was stunning, it didn’t look like it was a fluke.

“Alam mong hindi tsamba dahil apat na beses niya tinumba (You knew it wasn’t a fluke because he floored him four times),” said the Filipino manager.

“Hardly anyone believed we could win that fight. But Sonny Boy did it. Now we have to focus and work hard on how to keep the title in our hands,” he added.

Jaro said he’d fight anybody his manager puts in front of him.

“Bahala na siya,” said the 5-foot-3 Filipino champion, now walking around at under 130 lb.

“Panay ang kain eh. Basta may adobong baboy at bakalaw (Been eating a lot),” he said.