By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation light flyweight champion Jonathan Taconing who is rated No.1 by the World Boxing Council will defend his OPBF title against rugged Jomar Fajardo at the “Flash” Elorde Grand Ballroom in Sucat, Paranaque on September 12.

The 28 year old Taconing has a record of 21-2-1 with 18 knockouts and was deprived of winning the world title in a hugely controversial 5th round technical decision against Thailand’s Kompayak Porpramook on May 3, 2012 when South Korean referee Jae Bong Kim called a halt at the end of the round due to a small cut suffered by the Thai champion who was saved when the referee also halted the action when Taconing had him in trouble in a cormner after a flurry of punches.

Then WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman suspended the referee for one year after a review of the fight tape following a protest filed by promoter Johnny Elorde and a telephone interview with this reporter who complained about the referee’s actions.

Taconing has won eight fights in a row since that controversial loss and in his last appearance scored an impressive 10th round TKO over former world champion Ramon Garcia Hirales on April 4, 2014.

Fajardo who is 23 years old has a record of 14-8-2 with 7 knockouts and had two memorable encounters with Mexico’s top rated Francisco Rodriguez, the mandatory challenger who lost to WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes last July 11.

In their first fight Fajardo earned a split draw against Rodriguez on November 15, 2014 but lost by a unanimous decision in a rematch over ten rounds on January 31 this year.

Fajardo, in his last fight lost by a 2nd round TKO in a clash for the WBC Asian Boxing Council bantamweight crown Suriyan Sor Rungvisai last June 10.

The two grandsons of the late Hall of Famer Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, WBO Asia super featherweight champion Juan Martin Elorde and  WBO Asia bantamweight champion Juan Miguel Elorde will see action in ten round bouts against Indonesian opponents Yakobus Heluka and Rasmanudin respectively.