Araneta faces stiff test on Aug. 18

UNBEATEN prospect Christian Araneta finally gets a tough test to prove if he indeed is the real deal and if his surgically-repaired right shoulder is fully healed. He will take on one-time world title challenger Jerry Tomongdan for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia Silver flyweight belt on Aug. 18 in the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

The 23-year-old Araneta was sidelined for over a year after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder from a muscle tear in sparring. It caused him his fight against Jessie Espinas and his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental light flyweight belt along with his lofty rank in the organization.

“It’s okay already, it doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t bother me anymore,” Araneta told SunStar Cebu.

Araneta returned to action last April and easily disposed of Ian Ligutan in just two rounds in Bukidnon.

That won’t be the case with Tomongdan. At just 24, Tomongdan is a veteran of 38 bouts and has fought the likes of former interim World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight titleholder Yodmongkol Vor Saengthep, ex-WBC light flyweight champion Pedro Guevara. Araneta is 15-0 with 13 knockouts, while Tomongdan is 25-9-4 with 13 knockouts. (EKA)