BENNY Cañete, Carlo Bacaro and Pete Apolinar are seeing action in Omega Sports Promotions’ latest boxing show, “Kumbati 14 – Battle of Mactan” on April 1, 2023 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Coming off his first career defeat, the 22-year-old Cañete looks to bounce back in a 10-rounder against veteran Renoel Pael.
Cañete fought for the Philippines Boxing Federation bantamweight strap and lost by unanimous decision to unbeaten prospect Kenneth Llover on Jan. 21 in Mandaluyong City.
Cañete will once again be tested against a tough and experienced fighter in the 32-year-old Pael.
Pael is on a five-fight losing streak, with his latest defeat by unanimous decision in the hands of Ramil Macado last year.
Pael, who has never been knocked out in his 12-year career, has fought the likes of former world champion Andrew Moloney, Suguru Muranaka, Ardin Diale, Narast Aienleng and Edward Heno.
Cañete is 7-1 with six knockouts, while Pael is 23-13-1 with 12 knockouts.
The 23-year-old Bacaro is looking to continue his unbeaten streak and trades leathers with Ernesto Cagampang in an eight-round bout.
Bacaro has fought sparingly in the last three years with just three fights in that span of time. He’s fresh from a unanimous decision victory over Ryan Sermona last Jan. 11 in Cebu City.
The 28-year-old Cagampang recently fought in Japan and lost to Hyoga Miyata by unanimous decision.
Bacaro is 10-0 with six knockouts, while Cagampang is 4-3-1 with four knockouts.
Meanwhile, Apolinar hopes to end his slump as he locks horns with Reymond Empic in an eight-round fight.
Apolinar dropped his last two contests, losing in Japan to Yoshiki Takei and Hayato Tsutsumi, while Empic is coming off a split draw with Rhonvex Capuloy last year.
Apolinar is 16-4 with 10 knockouts, while Empic is 7-6-1 with three knockouts.
Also in the undercard, Franco Serafica (9-1, 4 KOs) is up against Marjon Piencenaves (6-5-1, 4 KOs), journeyman Jason Canoy (27-10-2, 19 KOs) comes out of retirement and squares off with Michael Adolofo (4-0, 2 KOs), Ramil Roda Jr. (1-0-2) is fighting Dariel Diamante (0-1-1), Maurino Agum (2-1, 1 KO) clashes with Kier Torregosa (2-2, 1 KO) and Jhon Antonny Magos makes his pro debut against Michael Omallao (0-1).
In the main event, world-ranked Christian Araneta (22-2, 17 KOs) takes on Thai veteran Jakrawut Majungoen (42-3-2, 21 KOs) in a 10-rounder. (EKA)