EVEN though it’s just an activity fight, highly-rated light-flyweight Christian Araneta is dead serious and will be treating his upcoming bout as if a world title is at stake.
“I’m ready for my upcoming fight. This fight is very important because after this fight, I could be fighting for a world championship,” Araneta told SunStar Cebu.
Araneta is set to face Thai Sanchai Yotboon in the main event of Omega Sports Promotions’ “Kumbati 18” card on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Tingub, Mandaue City.
The 29-year-old Araneta understands the significance of this fight and knows that a loss could derail his world title aspirations.
Araneta is currently the No. 1 contender for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight belt, which is currently held by Japanese boxer Masamachi Yabuki.
He is also rated No. 7 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), No. 8 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), and No. 11 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
After an impressive first-round technical knockout win over Arvin Magramo last year, Araneta was sidelined for over a year due to a hand injury.
“I think I’ll beat him (Yotboon). But I won’t take any chances because I just came off an operation and had a long rest,” he said. “My hand is doing well. There’s a bit of soreness but it’s good to go. I can’t afford to lose this fight because it’s been a long dream of mine to fight for a world title.”
The 27-year-old Yotboon is an experienced Thai fighter who has fought the likes of Ginjiro Shigeoka, Vic Saludar, Giemel Magramo, and Riku Kano. He’s coming off a second-round stoppage of Natchaphon Wichaita.
Araneta is 24-2 with 19 knockouts, while Yootboon is 16-8 with 10 knockouts.
Omega Sports Promotions has partnered with a US-based streaming service that will show the event live. / EKA