Elorde risks regional title against Thai

MANILA, Philippines — World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific super featherweight champion Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde will make his first title defense against top contender Chaiyong Sithsaithong of Thailand on Feb. 1 at Elorde Sports Center on Sucat Road in Parañaque.

The 29-year-old fighter, grandson of the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, holds a record of 15 wins, 7 by knockout, against one loss while Chaiyong totes a 32-12-3 card with 23 KOs.

They will headline the fight card promoted by Johnny Elorde Management International in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Manila 101 and Cobra Energy Drink.

Elorde got the vacant title last March 25 with a unanimous decision over Thai Maxsaisai Sithsaithong.

The supporting bout features veteran Dennis Laurente, who’ll be dangling his WBC Asian Boxing Council welterweight crown against Thai Singdet Nonpitayakon.

Laurente stopped Thai Khomkaew Sithsaithong in the first round last December for his third straight abbreviated win.

JK Elorde, another grandson of Flash Elorde, will appear in the undercard against Juanito Paredes for four rounds at 128 pounds.

This will be the third professional bout of JK, who knocked out his first two opponents, and was a former gold medalist in the NCR Palarong Pambansa.

Seven more bouts will complete the card starting at 6 p.m.