BOXING fans should brace for an exhilirating main event in Chao Sy Promotions’ “Fists of Fury VIII: Philippines vs. Japan” as unbeaten prospects Junibert Bantay and Haruki Miyamoto clash for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Silver super-featherweight title Saturday night, Aug. 16, 2025, at the Sky Hall of SM Seaside City Cebu.
Miyamoto, who has a 100 percent knockout rate, has vowed to end Bantay’s night early.
“I’ve been training for two and a half months for this fight. I’m very confident and you can expect a knockout,” said the visiting Japanese.
Bantay, unfazed by Miyamoto’s threat, said he welcomes the challenge, saying he’s just happy to face this type of test early in his career.
“We’ll see who gets knocked out first. We have both prepared for this fight,” said Bantay, who is being handled by veteran promoter Lorenzo “Chao” Sy. “I’ve been longing for a fight like this. I thank my promoter for giving me this opportunity.”
At Friday’s weigh-in, Bantay tipped the scales at 128 pounds, while Miyamoto also easily made weight at 128.4 pounds.
The 25-year-old Bantay has beaten the likes of local pugs Joy Joy Formentera, Reycar Auxilio, and Remar Andonga. He’s coming off an impressive unanimous decision win over Chinese fighter Tangjiaerke Asihaer last March 12 in Mandaue City.
The 23-year-old Miyamoto, on the other hand, just turned pro last year. He’s been impressive with knockout victories over Thais Sittichai Buasa and Kittiwat Choeythuan.
Bantay has an unblemished record of 8-0 with a knockout, while Miyamoto also has a perfect slate of 2-0, both wins by knockout.
The card also features two local title fights. Vicente Unidos (4-1, 3 KOs) faces Kenneth Albino (6-3, 3 KOs) for the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Philippines Youth bantamweight strap, while Jemuel Aranas (7-2, 4 KOs) takes on Cebu-based Japanese Kiyoto Narukami (5-1, 2 KOs) for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight title belt.
In the undercard, Joperson Trazo (5-1-1, 1 KO) trades leathers with Marlon Alejandro (6-8-2, 1 KO), Brian Bustrillo (3-1, 2 KOs) locks horns with Justine Lumanao (3-0-1, 2 KOs), and John Paul Sarigumba (0-0-1) opens the curtains against Apolinario Cano Jr. (1-3).