Kevin Jake Cataraja (left) and Jayr Raquinel (right). | Facebook photos
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two of the Philippines’ best super flyweight prospects, Kevin Jake “KJ” Cataraja and Jayr Raquinel, will collide in a regional title bout on November 11, 2023 in Nagoya, Japan.
At stake is Cataraja’s Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Super flyweight title.
Both Cataraja and Raquinel are world rated, making this fight one of the most anticipated duels in the local boxing scene, after the Miel Fajardo-John Paul Gabunilas bout last August 15 in Lapu-Lapu City which also pits another OPBF title.
The 28-year-old Cataraja, a native of Tabuelan town, northwest Cebu, is undefeated in 16 fights and has an incredible 13 knockouts in his resume. Cataraja, a former ALA Boxing Gym prospect and former WBO regionalt title holder, hasn’t fought in the ring since February this year.
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His most recent bout was against Edward Henno last February in General Santos City where he bagged the OPBF super flyweight title by unanimous decision.
Before his win against Heno, Cataraja impressively knocked out his last six opponents since 2019.
Cataraja now fights under the ZIP Sanman Boxing Team which is co-based in Cebu and in Japan.
He is currently ranked No. 9 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 12 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight divisions.
Cataraja was previously in the Top 10 of the WBO, but due to his inactivity, he was removed from the rankings.
Also, Cataraja became more popular in the local boxing scene for being hired several times as the sparring partner for several Japanese world champions including Naoya Inoue.
Meanwhile, Raquinel is ranked in the Top 15 of the WBO, IBF, and World Boxing Council (WBC). He is ranked No. 7 in WBC, No. 13 in the IBF, and No. 12 in the WBO.
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Raquinel, 26, of Negros Occidental is the current WBO Inter-Continental super flyweight champion. He is currently on a three-fight winning streak since last year.
He has a 15-2-1 (win-loss-draw) record with 12 knockouts.