Cebuano knockout artist Christian “The Bomb” Araneta wants to follow the footsteps of his stable mate, World Boxing Association (WBA) interim world featherweight champion Jhack “El Capitan” Tepora.
And he believes one way to inch closer to this goal is to beat the more experienced Jerry Tomogdan on Saturday night when both battle for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia Silver light flyweight title in the main event of “Double Rumble in Mandaue” at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
The 23-year-old Araneta of Borbon town, north Cebu, said it is the perfect time to fight for a title as he continues to recover from a torn muscle in his right shoulder last year.
The injury stalled Araneta for months. He returned to boxing last April and won by knockout against Ian Ligutan in Cagayan de Oro.
“I really want to win. I want to become a world champion just like Jack-Jack (Tepora) that is why I will do my very best to win,” said Araneta, who weighed 107.4 pounds during the weigh-in event on Friday.
Araneta is unbeaten in 15 fights. He has 13 wins by knockouts. Tomogdan has a 25-9-4 (win-loss-draw) record with 13 knockouts victories.
Tomogdan is a 24-year-old boxer from Valencia, Bukidnon. He tipped the scales at 106.6 pounds.
Tomogdan is also eyeing a big win that will help make his name more prominent in the boxing scene.
“I can’t predict a knockout victory but I promise boxing fans that [the bout ] is going to be exciting and full of action,” said Tomogdan.