Kevin Jake Cataraja holding his WBO youth super flyweight title. | Photo from Cataraja’s Facebook page
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Undefeated Cebuano super flyweight contender Kevin Jake “KJ” Cataraja will return to the ring on July 18, 2021, to face Cris Alfante at the Tabunok Sports Complex in Talisay City, Cebu.
The former ALA Boxing Gym standout, now fighting under Zip Sanman Boxing Promotions, has not fought since December 2020.
Cataraja, 26, the pride of Tabuelan, northwest Cebu, scored a first-round knockout versus John Mark Apolinario in his last fight last December 17, 2020, in General Santos City.
Cataraja, the WBO Youth super flyweight champion, will put his unbeaten record of 12 wins (ten by knockouts) at stake against a dangerous foe in Alfante, who fights under the Elorde Boxing Stable.
“I expect this fight to be tough, but I’m very thankful for this opportunity because fighting much-experienced opponents like Alfante will help me improve even better,” Cataraja told CDN Digital.
Rust may be a problem for Alfante (17W-8L-1D, 9KOs) as he last fought in 2019, losing to Kazakh Yelshat Nikhemttolla via unanimous decision in the latter’s hometown in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Before losing to Nikhemttolla, Alfante of Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte had a three-fight winning streak against fellow Filipino pugs.
“Fighting someone from the Elorde Boxing Gym is a big chance for me to experience top-caliber opponents, knowing they also have world champions there. So it’s going to be a very exciting fight, but I will make sure to train hard and make sure not to be complacent,” added Cataraja.
Aside from being a WBO youth champion, Cataraja is widely known in the boxing scene as one of the favorite sparring partners of world champions.
Cataraja sparred with both IBF and WBA super world bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue and the latter’s challenger Michael Dasmariñas.
READ: Inoue-Dasmariñas world title fight in the eyes of KJ Cataraja
He also sparred with four-division world champion Donnie Nietes, Kosei Tanaka, Andrew Moloney, Riyuya Yamanaka, and Johnriel Casimero.
“We’re already training for this fight and I can say that we have a very nice preparation for it because I’ve sparred with Dasmariñas during his preparation to fight Inoue. Dasmariñas and my opponent are both southpaw so it’s a good timing for me to spar with someone like Dasmariñas,” said Cataraja.
He promised his supporters that he would win the bout regardless if it is by decision or stoppage. Also featured in the fight card are Jeo Santisima, Esneth Domingo, Alex Santisima, and Melvin Jerusalem.
/bmjo