WITH less than a month left before his world title shot, Christian Araneta is nearing peak fighting shape.
Araneta will squeak in a few more sparring sessions at the Omega Boxing Gym before heading to Japan on Saturday, May 31, 2025, where he will finalize his training camp.
“Cristian is well-conditioned and ready. We have had a long training camp and we also trained in Baguio,” Araneta’s trainer, Omega Boxing Gym head coach Jinggoy Junco, told SunStar Cebu.
Araneta is set to fight Thai boxer Thanongsak Simsri for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight title on June 19 at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Former world title contender Regie Suganob has arrived in Cebu and sparred with Araneta on Friday and Monday.
“Regie was there last Friday and Cristian had an impressive performance in sparring,” said Junco. “This should help, especially considering Suganob’s style. They only sparred for two sessions.”
Araneta also sparred with Rey-mart Tagacanao and Miel Fajardo.
In Japan, the 30-year-old Araneta will continue his training camp at the Ohashi Gym in Yokohama. He is scheduled to spar with former world champion Ken Shiro and will also train with Japanese fighters from different gyms in Tokyo and Osaka.
“What we are working right now is our gameplan and praying that he won’t get injured when we finish our training camp,” said Junco.
Araneta and Simsri were given the opportunity to fight for the world championship after Masamachi Yabuki vacated the IBF light-flyweight throne to move up in weight.
Araneta is coming off an impressive first-round stoppage of Sanchai Yotboon last Dec. 11, 2024, in Mandaue City.
Simsri, on the other hand, has kept himself busy with a third-round knockout of Songchai Songklod last Feb. 22, following a split-decision win over former world champion Masataka Taniguchi in December.
Araneta is 25-2 with 20 knockouts, while Simsri boasts a record of 38-1 with 34 knockouts. / EKA