Sonny Boy Jaro

This journeyman is Philippine boxing’s latest toast after stopping Thai legend Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in Chonburi, Thailand last March 1 for the WBC flyweight championship.

Jaro, a heavy underdog against the highly skilled Wonjongkam, entered the fight sporting a journeyman’s record of 33-10-5, with 7 KOs. The 29-year-old Filipino went against the odds and humiliated Wonjongkam in front of his home crowd – knocking the champion down four times en route to a sixth round TKO win.

The victory may well end up as the sport’s biggest upset of the year.

Jaro thus joins WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, WBC/WBO bantamweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr.,  WBO minimumweight king Donnie Nietes, and interim IBF light flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero in the list of current Filipino world champions.

The Binangonan, Rizal-based Jaro will defend his title for the first time in June, possibly against Japan’s Toshiyuki Igarashi.