ONE-time world title challenger Ar Ar Andales will be fighting for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light-flyweight belt against young Japanese sensation Raito Kataoka on Oct. 29, 2026 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The 26-year-old Andales is riding a five-fight winning streak and hasn’t tasted defeat in six years. Since suffering his last defeat in 2019, Andales has won nine bouts and had three draws.
He fought and defeated former world champion Rene Mark Cuarto in 2024, and fought the likes of former world champions Wilfredo Mendez and Thammanoon Niyomtrong.
Andales is coming off a unanimous decision win over Ramel Antaran in a keep-busy fight last March.
Andales is currently rated No. 9 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 13 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in the light-flyweight division.
On the other hand, the 20-year-old Kataoka has just two pro bouts under his belt but has an impressive 57-1 amateur record and won a gold medal in the 2023 Asian Youth Championships.
Kataoka turned just this year and stopped Natsu Ohashi in first round. He followed it up with a first round knockout of Suriya Puttaluska.
Andales has a win-loss-draw record of 19-2-3 with eight knockouts, while Kataoka is 2-0 with two knockouts. / EKA
