Araneta: I learned my lesson

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Expect a more prepared Christian “The Bomb” Araneta when he returns to the boxing ring on April 25, 2021 in South Africa. 

The 25-year old Araneta, who is from Borbon town in northern Cebu, said he will be more cautious in his second shot at a world title eliminator, this time against unbeaten South African Sivenathi Nontshinga. 

Read: Araneta ready for 2nd world title eliminator fight

In an interview with CDN Digital, Araneta said he is more prepared than he was in his first title eliminator in 2019 in Mexico, where he came up short against Mexican Daniel Valladares.

“Nakat-on nako sa mga leksyon nako sa una nakong world title eliminator,” the Cebuano boxer said.

(I learned my lesson from my first world title eliminator.)

Although a shoulder injury he suffered  in the middle of the bout played a factor in his first defeat, which was a fourth round stoppage, Araneta admitted he was not able to adjust properly as it was his first fight abroad and his first major fight.

“Pero karon mas andam nako. Mas kahibalo nako unsaon pag adjust unya wala na sad koy injury,” Araneta told CDN Digital. 

(Now, I am more ready. I know how to adjust and I have no injury anymore.)

Araneta has a record of 19 wins and one defeat. Out of the 19 wins, he has 15 by way of knockouts. Nontshinga is unbeaten with nine wins, all by knockouts.

“Kahibalo ko nga knockout artist akong kontra. Ni ingon gani siya iyaha ko knock-outon. Pero wala ko nagpadala sa iyang bahad. Ang ako lang, mag focus ko ug maayo para makadaog ani nga fight unya dili nako mag pa dalos-dalos pa,” Araneta said. 

(I know my opponent is a knockout artist. He said he is going to knock me out. But I didn’t let myself get affected with his threats. I am just focusing on winning this fight and not be too aggressive.) 

Araneta has been training since January under the tutelage of Omega Boxing Gym trainer Julius Erving Junco.

Araneta said his back-to-back victories in Cebu also helped him recover from his painful defeat against Valladares. 

Araneta logged two straight victories against Richard Rosales and Roland Jay Biendima in dominating fashions a few months after his stint in Mexico. 

“Para nako, nibalik na akong confidence ug akong kusog sukad atong nakadula ko ug balik last year. Mas andam ko karon physically and mentally,” Araneta said. 

(For me, I regained my confidence after those two fights last year. I am more prepared now, physically and mentally.) 

/bmjo