Ben Madilynn
WORLDRATED AJ Paciones guns for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight title against veteran Thai Sanchai Yotboon in the main event of Highland Boxing Promotions’ “World Cup Boxing” on May 31, 2025, at the World Siam Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Paciones already holds the World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia light flyweight belt and wants to add the WBO Oriental flyweight title to his trophy case.
The 20-year-old Paciones, a Cebuano based in Vietnam, has already been making waves in the Southeast Asian circuit but his biggest win came during his Philippine debut last year, where he faced the stiffest test of his young career — former world champion Rene Mark Cuarto in Mandaue City.
In a shocking turn, Paciones dropped Cuarto in the second round and walked away with a split decision victory, marking the most significant win of his career to date.
After his win over Cuarto, he followed it up with a succesful title defense against Chinese Xiang Li, whom he totally outclassed by unanimous decision in Thailand.
Paciones could get his world title shot anytime soon if he remains unbeaten. He’s currently rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) behind Japanese Kyosuke Takami. The reigning WBA light flyweight king is Erick Rosa.
Paciones is also ranked No. 15 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 25 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Although the 28-year-old Yotboon’s record may look awful on paper, he has fought some elite competition in the lower weight divisions. He shared the ring with the likes of Cristian Araneta, Vic Saludar, Riku Kano, and Ginjiro Shigeoka.
Yotboon won his last two fights against unheralded opponents in Thanathip Jantharod and Sittichai Nimnual.
Paciones is 10-0 with five knockouts, while Yotboon is 18-9 with 12 knockouts.
Also fighting in the same show is undefeated super-lightweight prospect Reymart Soledad.
Soledad (6-0, 4 KOs) will battle hard-hitting Thai Jatupol Raksapet (4-1, 4 KOs) for the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) super-lightweight belt. / EKA
Source: Paciones eyes WBO title
