Ken Shiro vs Jonathan Taconing Preview July 12th
Undefeated Ken Shiro of Kyoto, Japan will be putting his WBC Light Flyweight Title on the line for the sixth time this Friday, July 12th when he faces off against Jonathan Taconing of the Philippines in Osaka. The bout will be broadcast live on ESPN+ North America. Shiro’s last outing was a unanimous decision over Saul Juarez in December. Taconing last fought in September when he beat Vince Paras by a 12-round unanimous decision.
Shiro vs Taconing Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Jonathan Taconing +1737
- Ken Shiro -3237
My Pick
The 27-year-old Shiro originally won his title from Ganigan Lopez via majority decision in May of 2017 in his 10th pro fight. He then defended it by majority decision over Pedro Guevara, a fourth-round stoppage of Gilberto Pedroza and then a first-round KO over Lopez in their rematch. He followed that up with a seventh-round stoppage over Milan Melindo before beating Juarez. The baby-faced Shiro turned pro back in 2014 and has compiled a perfect record so far at 15-0 along with 8 Kos.
Shiro’s not really known as a big hitter with a current knockout ratio of 53 per cent, but his power definitely can’t be underestimated especially when combined with his speed. Shiro stands just over 5-feet-4-inches tall with a reach of 64 inches. He’s boxed a total of 104 rounds since turning pro and has been involved in some close decisions recently. He’s displayed a solid chin so far as well as good boxing skills. Fourteen of Shiro’s 15 opponents have had winning records while the other one was making his pro debut, so he’s jumped in feet first. He’s been learning on the job and hasn’t been put in with easy touches to pad his record.
As for Taconing, he’s a 32-year-old veteran southpaw with a record of 28-3-1 along with 22 Kos. He’s got good power with a current knockout ratio of 69 per cent. He’s also got a solid chin as he hasn’t been stopped in his career. His three defeats came at the hands of Joe Galamition by six-round split decision in 2008, Suriyan Satorn by fifth-round technical decision in 2012 and a 12-round unanimous decision to Ganigan Lopez in 2016. The bouts against Lopez and Satorn were both for the WBC Light Flyweight Title. His draw came against Erwin Picardal in 2009.
Taconing turned pro in 2007 and has boxed 168 rounds since then. He’s five-feet-two-inches tall with an unlisted reach so gives up two inches in height to Shiro. Since turning pro, Taconing has won the WBC International Light Flyweight Title twice and the OPBF Light Flyweight Crown. In fact, he still holds the WBC International belt. Taconing’s biggest wins have been against the likes of former WBO Light Flyweight Champion Ramon Garcia Hirales and Warlito Parrenas. He’s fallen just short when stepping up in class such as he did against Ganigan Lopez and Suriyan Satorn.
Prediction…
Shiro is a fine boxer with a fan-friendly style who’s 5-0 in world title fights with 3 Kos and 4-0 with 2 Kos against current and former world champs. Taconing has the edge in power but he’ll find Shiro has a pretty solid chin. I’m expecting a good competitive bout with Shiro hanging on to his title.
Shiro’s a class above Taconing and fighting at home.
Play: Shiro -3237 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Jonathan Taconing betting • Ken Shiro betting