TWO regional titles are at stake this Saturday in an exciting double-header in the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
Unbeaten Cebuano prospect Christian Araneta takes Jerry Tomongdan for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council Silver light flyweight crown, while undefeated French Zaber Zayani slugs it out with Mancito for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental super featherweight title.
The 23-year-old Araneta is looking to climb up the 108-pound ladder again after falling out of the world rankings, following a long layoff due to a shoulder injury. He made his ring comeback with a second-round knockout of unheralded Ian Ligutan.
The 24-year-old Tomongdan, who has fought some elite names in his division, is fresh from a seventh round knockout of Donny Mabao.
Araneta is 15-0 with 13 knockouts, while Tomongdan is 25-9-4 with 13 knockouts.
Zayani has been on a tear this year, knocking out all three of his opponents. However, he hasn’t fought an opponent at the level of Mancito, who has fought the likes of former Olympian Satoshi Shimizu, one-time world title challenger Alberto Guevarra and ex-world champion Tomas Rojas.
The 27-year-old Zayani is 14-0 with eight knockouts, while Mancito is 16-8-2 with nine knockouts. (EKA)