Castino faces stiff test in veteran Waminal

PROMISING prospect Jhunrille Castino is in for the stiffest test of his career against veteran former ALA Boy Jess Rhey Waminal in an eight-rounder in one of the featured bouts of “Kumong Bol-anon IX” on Feb. 25, 2023, at the Calape Cultural Center in Calape, Bohol.

The 24-year-old Castino is currently on a hot streak, winning his last nine fights and capturing the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Asia Pacific super bantamweight belt in the process.

Castino’s only career loss was in 2018 when he lost by split decision to Emmanuel Mogawa. He proved that the loss was a fluke after beating Mogawa twice in their next two meetings.

Castino won the WBF belt with a lopsided unanimous decision over Jeffrey Francisco last year. He’s coming off a unanimous decision win over Mogawa last Dec. 8 in Calape.

Waminal, a former amateur standout, is currently in a slump, losing his last five fights. He lost to Pete Apolinar, Jon Jon Estrada, Ryo Nakai, Alex Santisima Jr. and BJ Wild.

Even though Waminal is on a losing streak, he’s still very dangerous and should be a good gauge of what level Castino is at right now.

Castino is 13-1 with four knockouts, while the 28-year-old Waminal is 14-8-1 with eight knockouts.

In the main event, Regie Suganob (12-0, 4 KOs) locks horns with Mark Vicelles (17-0-1, 10 KOs) in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title eliminator. The winner of the eliminator becomes the mandatory challenger of unbeaten IBF light flyweight champion Sivenathi Nontshinga.

Also featured as the co-main event is a World Boxing Organization Oriental Youth minimumweight title bout between undefeated prospects Shane Gentallan (6-0, 3 KOs) and (23) Kumpha Aryamueang (5-0, 4 KOs).

In the undercard, Jake Amparo (11-4-1, 2 KOs) faces off with Charlie Malupangue (9-7-4, 6 KOs); Angilou Dalogdog is up against Anthony Gilbuela (5-2-2, 1 KO); experienced Lito Dante (19-11-4, 11 KOs) trades leathers with Mike Kinaadman (8-18-2, 6 KOs); Pablito Balidio (6-3-3, 1 KO) clashes with Royder Lloyd Borbon (6-13-3, 6 KOs); Gerwin Asilo (3-0, 1 KO) takes on fellow unbeaten up-and-comer Jeffrey Aguilar (2-0, 2 KOs); Reymart Tagacanao (3-0, 3 KOs) squares off with Isagani Saludar (3-2, 2 KOs); and Reycar Auxilio (3-2, 2 KOs) opens up the show against Jayar Aliasot (6-5, 5 KOs).