CHRISTIAN Araneta showed no signs of slowing down from his shoulder injury after scoring an emphatic 12th round knockout of veteran Jerry Tomogdan in the main event of “Double Rumble” in the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex in Mandaue City.

The 23-year-old Araneta showcased his technical skills and outclassed a very aggressive Tomogdan the whole fight.

Knowing that he already had it in the bag after going up ahead on the scorecards 79-73, 79-73 and 78-74, Araneta played it safe in the later rounds. In the 12th round, as Tomogdan was aggressively attacking and looking for a knockout, Araneta threw a perfectly timed uppercut that knocked him out cold with just two seconds left. Tomogdan was out for a few minutes and had to be attended to by the medical team.

“I thought it was going the distance, I didn’t expect to knock him out. I timed him with an uppercut and knocked him out. I’m very happy with the win,” said Araneta.

Araneta won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council Silver light flyweight title and should break into the world rankings. As early as now, he wants the top gun in the organization.

“I want to fight for a world title,” said Araneta.

Araneta remained unbeaten at 16-0 with 14 knockouts, while Tomogdan dropped to 25-10-4 with 13 knockouts.

“He has shown signs of maturity. He has defense and isn’t that reckless anymore. He still has the power and his injury didn’t affect him,” said Omega Pro Sports International (OPSI) vice-president Jerome Calatrava.

French Jaber Zayani (15-0, 8 KOs) beat Edwardo Mancito (16-9-2, 9 KOs) via a split decision to win the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental super featherweight strap in the co-main feature.

Judges Edward Ligas and Edgar Olalo scored it 96-93 and 95-94 for Zayani, while judge Edwin Barrientos had Mancito ahead with 96-93.

Hawaiian Kawelo Alcos (2-0, 1 KO) walked away with a majority decision victory over Patrick dela Cruz (0-1) in an action-packed four-round special attraction.

In the undercard, Jobert Alvarez (18-2-2, 7 KOs) squeaked past experienced Gerpaul Valero (22-22-4, 16 KOs) by split decision, Ponciano Rimandiman (8-4-1, 4 KOs) stopped Adrian Lerasan (6-2, 1 KO) in the seventh round, Marjun Piencenaves (6-0-1, 4 KOs) defeated Jeffrey Stella (4-6-2, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision and Carlo Bacaro (2-0, 2 KOs) scored a opening round technical knockout of newcomer Matthew Fondales (0-1). (EKA)