WORLD-RANKED Christian Araneta is back in action as he takes on veteran Arnold Garde in the 10-round main event of Omega Sports Promotions’ “Kumbati 11” bubble boxing event on Oct. 22, 2021 at the IPI Complex in Mandaue City.

The 26-year-old Araneta is on a comeback trail after suffering a unanimous decision loss to South African Sivenathi Nontshinga in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title eliminator in South Africa on April 25.

He bounced back with a first round technical knockout over veteran Richard Claveras in July and is looking for another impressive finish against Garde.

“I’m sure Christian will get this (win),” Omega Boxing Gym head trainer Julius Erving “Jinggoy” Junco told SunStar Cebu.

“But he should not be too complacent because Garde has been training for three months.”

Araneta is still rated No. 7 in the light flyweight division by the IBF. Araneta is 20-2 with 16 knockouts, while Garde is 10-10-3 with four knockouts.

In the co-main event, Tomjune Mangubat slugs it out with former teammate Allan Villanueva.

“I’m confident. Tomjune has superior boxing skills, plus we have a great strength and conditioning coach. We will dominate this fight,” said Junco.

Big Yellow Boxing Gym head coach Christopher “Ping-Ping” Tepora is certain that it won’t be an easy fight for Mangubat and that this fight is in the making of a classic.

“This will be a great fight. It will be an all-out war. They are both ready,” said Tepora.

Mangubat and Villanueva were once teammates at the Omega Boxing Gym.

Mangubat is 14-2-1 with 11 knockouts, while Villanueva is 11-1 with eight knockouts.

In the undercard, Franco Serafica (6-1, 3 KOs) faces John Kenan Villaflor (8-7-4, 2 KOs) and Benny Cañete (3-0, 2 KOs) locks horns with Mark Jequito (4-7-1).

The show will be streamed live on Omega Boxing Gym’s Facebook page starting at 6 p.m. (EKA)