By Ronnie Nathanielsz

World Boxing Council flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro (34-10-5, 24 KO’s) is ready to make his first defense of the title he won from Thai veteran Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in a sensational 6th round TKO last March 2 in Bangkok.

The WBC reported that the Filipino world champion was in fine condition and eager to defend his title against mandatory challenger Toshiyuki Igarashi (15-1-1, 10 KO’s) in Kasukabe, near Tokyo on July 16.

The WBC noted that Jaro “impressed the media with his athletic condition” during a recent public workout in which he shadow boxed and worked on the punch-mitts for almost one and a half hours.

Jaro has expressed confidence in retaining his title against the Japanese challenger.

The WBC flyweight champion worked out at the Teiken Gym owned by businessman-sportsman Akihiko Honda.

His manager/trainer and former boxer Aljoe Jaro told boxing writer Chito  Yu Katangkatang  that Sonny Boy was just having light training  and they were “just keeping him in top condition until fight night. He is definitely ready.”

According to Aljoe Jaro he saw Igarashi train and noted that the challenger was not much taller than Sonny Boy Jaro but that the Filipino champion has  more developed muscles.

Sonny Boy said “I am very confident in this fight. I was happy wit my training regimen and Kuya Aljoe (Jaro) has done everything to ensure our victory.”

On the same fight card southpaw Michael Farenas (34-3-3, 26 KO’s), a protégé of former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa is the heavy underdog in his title fight against Japan’s 32 year old undefeated world junior lightweight champion Takashi Uchiyama (18-0, 15 KO’s)..

However, Penalosa told Katangkatang that  the 28 year old southpaw Farenas “has trained like this is a matter of life and death. This might probably be his first and last chance at a world title. He is not getting any younger.  Uchiyama is the heavy favorite but we will do our best to bring the belt home to the Philippines.”