Araneta faces SAfrican Nontshinga in April
CHRISTIAN “The Bomb” Araneta and his Omega Boxing stable are leaving no stones unturned in preparation for a world title eliminator fight in East London, South Africa on April 25.
Learning from his previous eliminator fight more than a year ago, the 25-year-old power puncher from Borbon, Cebu wants no less than a win in his second try, this time against undefeated fighter Sive “Special One” Nontshinga in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) championship eliminator.
Araneta lost to Mexican Daniel Valladares in Mexico last September 2019 in his first title eliminator, but has since bounced back, winning two of his last bouts last year inside a bubble in Mandaue City.
Araneta holds a record of 19 wins, 1 loss with 15 KOs, while his opponent Nontshinga has 9 wins with 9 KOs — a 100 percent knockout percentage.
Omega Boxing Gym trainer Julius Erving Junco, however, is having none of that 100 percent KO record of Nontshinga as he firmly believes that his ward will prevail this time.
“We are not bothered, there are levels to it. No disrespect to his [Nontshinga’s] past opponent, but those are class b fighters. Fighting Christian is another level,” Junco told The Manila Times.
He added that there will be no room for complacency, and they will prepare 100 percent for this fight.
“We have the edge when it comes to experience. And this is our second time to fight for the eliminator. I believe we are way ahead when it comes to skillset and experience. I’m confident with my boxer. We have the great training regimen and the outrageous support from Omega Pain Killer and IPI,” he said.
Araneta and his team are planning to fly to South Africa on April 9 or 10, earlier than usual since they need to undergo quarantine protocols upon arrival.