UNDEFEATED Filipino prospect Junibert Bantay is set to clash with Japanese contender Haruki Miyamoto for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Asia Youth super-featherweight title in the main event of Chao Sy Boxing Promotions’ “Fist of Fury VIII: Philippines vs. Japan” on Aug. 16, 2025, at the SM Seaside City Cebu.
“This will be a good fight because both of them are undefeated. This Japanese is one of their prospects there. He’s tall, aggressive, and a really good fighter,” said Chao Sy Boxing Promotions head honcho Lorenzo “Chao” Sy.
This will be the 25-year-old Bantay’s first title fight and second encounter with a foreign opponent.
Bantay fought his first foreign foe last April 12, in Mandaue City, where he dropped China’s Tangjaerke Asihaer twice en route to a convincing unanimous decision victory.
Bantay also owns wins over veteran Joy Joy Formentera and Reycar Auxilio.
The 23-year-old Miyamoto, on other hand, has only two pro fights under his belt.
He scored a fourth-round technical knockout of Thai fighter Sittichai Buasa in his pro debut last year and followed it up with a first-round knockout of Kittiwat Choeythuan last Feb. 13, 2025.
Bantay is 8-0 with a knockout, while Miyamoto is 2-0 with two knockouts.
Meanwhile, John Kevien Jimenez is looking to bounce back from a recent loss as he takes on Jeven Villacite in a rematch for the Games and Amusements Board Philippine minimumweight belt.
Jimenez and Villacite first fought last year in Passi City, where the former outclassed the latter by a lopsided unanimous decision.
Since then, Jimenez has gone 1-3 in four outings, including a fourth-round knockout loss to Ryusei Matsumoto in Japan last month, while Villacite has remained inactive for more than a year.
Jimenez is 9-3 with four knockouts, while Villacite is 6-7-5 with a knockout.
Adding more international flair to the card, two Japanese amateur fighters are slated to see action against Cebu-based opponents in the undercard.
“We are still negotiating for other exciting fights. The fans will be in for a treat,” said Sy. / EKA