WORLD-RATED Christian Araneta is out to prove that he’s one of the best light flyweights in the world as he tests his mettle against veteran Thai Jakrawut Majungoen on Saturday night, April 1, 2023, in the main event of Omega Sports Promotions’ Kumbati 15 – “Battle of Mactan” at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Following a long layoff, the 28-year-old Araneta is back on track and is working his way up the light flyweight ladder and, hopefully soon, a world title shot.
“I’m confident because he had enough training and sparring. But we still shouldn’t take any chances. I believe Araneta will get this,” Araneta’s trainer Jinggoy Junco told SunStar Cebu.
Araneta had an extensive training camp in Cebu, sparring with the likes of World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem, Esneth Domingo and three-division world champion Kosei Tanaka.
Araneta is currently ranked No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 9 by the WBO, No. 11 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 17 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
A win over a fighter of Majungoen’s caliber should solidify his case for a world title shot.
Majungoen, who was once world ranked, has faced the likes of former world titleholder Daigo Higa and world-rated fighters Olimjon Nazarov and Tanes Ongjunta.
Majungoen is coming off a unanimous decision loss against Nazarov last Jan. 28.
Araneta is 22-2 with 17 knockouts, while the 27-year-old Majungoen is 42-3-2 with 21 knockouts.
Also featured in the card are promising fighters Benny Cañete, Carlo Bacaro and Pete Apolinar.
Cañete (7-1, 6 KOs) takes on experienced Renoel Pael (23-13-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-rounder, Bacaro (10-0, 6 KOs) locks horns with Ernesto Cagampang (4-3-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round fight, while Apolinar (16-4, 10 KOs) trades leathers with Reymond Empic (7-6-1, 3 KOs) in also another eight-round battle.
Also slated 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). (EKA)