IT HAS always been a dream of former amateur standout Jess Rhey Waminal to be able to fight for a world championship since turning pro back in 2014.
The 26-year-old Waminal believes that his upcoming Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver featherweight title fight with former stablemate Pete Apolinar will be the first step to his world title hopes.
“This is my most important fight because I was supposed to fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) International title in South Africa, but it got cancelled. Now, it’s already a go. This is the moment that I have been waiting for to get world rated. This is a huge opportunity given to me by God and I won’t let it slip through my hands,” Waminal told SunStar Cebu.
Waminal faces Apolinar in the main event of Omega Sports Promotions’ “Kumbati 10” show on July 3, 2021 at the IPI Complex in Mandaue City.
Waminal should break into the WBC featherweight rankings if he wins the OPBF belt.
“I’m 101 percent ready to win the (OPBF) championship,” said Waminal, a former ALA Boy.
Waminal sparred with WBC No. 7 and WBA No. 8 ranked minimumweight Marco John Rementizo and veteran former regional champion Jaysever Abcede in a tough camp at The Fight Studio by WLS in Cagayan de Oro.
Waminal hasn’t fought for a year and seven months since beating Indian Sunil Siwach by unanimous decision on Nov. 23, 2019 in Tagum City. But despite the long layoff, he believes that he won’t have any ring rust.
“I don’t feel any ring rust. Even though I stayed at home, I kept myself in shape,” he said.
Waminal is 14-3-1 with eight knockouts, while his former ALA Gym teammate, Apolinar, is 14-1 with eight knockouts.
Also featured in “Kumbati 10” are world-ranked Mark Vicelles and Christian Araneta.
Vicelles (13-0-1, 7 KOs) is in for a tough fight against fellow unbeaten prospect Jerven Mama (12-0-1, 7 KOs), while Araneta (19-2, 15 KOs) looks to return to the winning column as he takes on experienced former world title challenger Richard Claveras (19-7-2, 16 KOs). (EKA)