Philippine boxing is doing very well at the moment, with 5 world champions representing the country. The latest shocker was when Sonny Boy Jaro pulled a major upset against former pound-for-pound fighter Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in Thailand. On May 5, 2012, WBC international light flyweight title holder Jonathan Taconing (13-1-1, 10KO's) will try to emulate Jaro's success when he travels to Thailand and challenges Kompayak Porpramook (44-3, 30KO's) for the WBC world light flyweight title.
Taconing started to box at the age of 14, fighting a total of 30 amateur bouts where most of them were fiesta boxing events. "I get paid 500php ($12) for 3 rounds of work as an amateur in fiestas," Taconing recalls. It was only after seeing Pacquiao beat 3K Battery in Taguig, Philippines that Taconing was inspired to turn pro. At 19 years old, Taconing traveled to Manila and has been with his promoter/manager Johnny Elorde since then.
Not only did Elorde help Taconing fulfill his goal of having a boxing career, he also provided Taconing a place to stay at the Elorde compound for free. It was also in Manila where he met his wife and had a son. Being a pro boxing starter in the Philippines can be really tough, and for that reason, he was also given a part time job as a gate guard every Saturday and Sunday, earning him 200php ($5) for each day.
Taconing won his first 4 bouts after turning pro in 2007. It was on his 5th professional fight that he first tasted defeat, a fight where he admitted to have fairly lost due to point deductions for accidental fouls. "My first lost, I charge it to experience. After losing, I told myself that I don't want to lose again," said Taconing.
The upcoming world title fight was proposed earlier this year. It was supposed to be held on March 3, but was postponed to May 5 for some reason. Taconing, who possesses serious punching power, has been a boxer for 5 years with 15 professional fights and he feels primed for a world title shot. "I'm ready for a world title fight. I work hard and train hard every day. I'm training twice as hard for this fight," says Taconing. "For this fight, we added more technique. We also added strength and conditioning training," added Taconing, who currently weighs 120 pounds.
Taconing acknowledges the fact that he will be up against a more experienced opponent, but is confident that his hard work will be the key. "I saw his fights. He's a real fighter who comes forward and brings the fight to his opponent. I will try to knock him out," said Taconing, who is also hopeful to get a fair referee and judges in case the fight goes the distance.
Taconing and his team are planning to fly out to Thailand a week before the bout. He expressed being grateful to his manager for getting him a world title fight. And just like the other Philippine world champions, Taconing is hopeful to have Filipino people back him up. "I'm asking the Filipino people for their support and prayers. I'll do this for the honor of the Philippines"
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