Moment of truth for Araneta
For the third time, Omega Gym’s top fighter Christian “The Bomb” Araneta (23-2, 18KOs) hopes to hurdle one major obstacle in his road towards a world title crack as he trades fistic bombs with fellow countryman Arvin “Hurricane” Magramo (17-1-1, 11KOs) of Elorde Stable in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior flyweight eliminator today at the Nustar Resort and Casino Convention Center.
The winner of the scheduled 12-round rumble topbilling the hotly-anticipated “Kumbati 16” boxing card of Omega Sports Promotions International headed by Pio Paulo Castillo in partnership with Japan’s Treasure Boxing Promotions will earn a mandatory shot at reigning IBF light flyweight champion Adrian “Gatito” Curiel of Mexico.
Araneta has already figured in two world title eliminators before but lost both by fourth round knockout to Mexican Daniel “Cejitas” Valladares in 2019 and then by unanimous decision to South African Sivenathi Nontshinga three years ago.
The 28-year-old pride of Borbon town in northern Cebu hopes for third time lucky, vowing not to let the golden opportunity slip out of his hands this time.
“Napakyas man ko sa miagi nakong mga pagsuway apan ning higayona ako na gyud ni i-sureball nga modaog kay dugay na gyud nako ning gipangandoy nga makaduwa og world title fight. Kon mi-ingon akong kontra nga 100 percent siya nga modaog, ako 100 percent sab segurado sa akong tsansa so nindot kaayo ning awaya,” said Araneta during the event’s final a press conference at Nustar’s Axis Bar yesterday.
“Kon ako ba siyang ma-knockout, dili pako kasulti about ana. Makita ug maabot ra na sa among duwa. Basta akong ikapasalig nga maningkamot ko og maayo ug dili gyud ko papilde,” Araneta continued.
Fight fans can really expect an explosive match-up as Magramo is as confident as Araneta.
“Siyempre 100 percent ako sa sa sarili ko na mananalo ako. Hindi kami pumunta dito para lang magpatalo. Hindi natin masasabi na knockout pero alam ko na mananalo ako sa laban,” said Magramo.
“Kaya kung lumaban ng mabilisan at damihan ang suntok. Seguro yun ang advantage ko sa kanya. Tingnan lang natin sa laban. Segurado bibigyan ko sila ng magandang laban para mapatunayan ko sa kanila na hindi ako kaya nilang i-knockout at kaya kong manalo sa huli,” Magramo added. “Let’s see if the ‘Bomb’ can stop the ‘Hurricane’.”
In the supporting main event, Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar (34-7-1, 24KOs) from Polomolok, South Cotabato will defend his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight belt against Japanese Keita Kurihara (17-8-1, 15KOs).
Three compatriots of Kurihara in Kotaro Sekine (7-0, 6KOs), Kenshin Hosokawa (6-1, 5KOs), and the debuting Kyota Watanabe will also strut their wares in the slambang show.
Sekine takes on Al Toyogon (14-8-2, 9KOs) of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, Hosokawa battles against Ronnie Baldonado (17-1, 9KOs) of Carmen, North Cotabato, while Watanatabe will have his baptism of fire in the pro ranks against Louriz Biasong of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Also set to see action are Omega’s Benny Cañete (9-1, 6KOs), Sanman’s Jeo Santisima (22-7, 19KOs) and Jayson Mama (19-1, 10KOs), and Ramil Roda, Jr.
Cañete from Candaping, Siquijor will lock horns with Thai Phissanu Chimsunthom (50-13, 17KOs), Santisima of Aroroy, Masbate clashes with Pablito Canada (8-24, 6KOs) of Padagian City, Mama of South Cotabato dukes it out with Dennis Gaviola (3-3, 2KOs) of Lanao del Sur, while Roda (2-1) of Bukidnon goes up against Anthony Galigao (1-20, 5KOs) of Bohol. –