Cebuano boxing star earns IBF flyweight No. 1 contending bout

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

One of the most promising young boxers in the Philippines will have the chance to challenge IBF light flyweight champion Felix Alvarado.

Cebu’s Christian Araneta will now be contending for the champion’s no. 1 challenger spot as he is set to tangle with South Africa’s Sivenathi Nontshinga.

Araneta will try to maintain composure and negate Nontshinga’s home-court advantage as the super fight will be staged in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

This will be Araneta’s second eliminator bout to go up and challenge the champion after a failed attempt in his lone defeat against Daniel Valladares two years ago.

Now more confident and equipped with the much-needed experience, Araneta and his camp bared they are already ready to finally have a shot at the IBF light flyweight supremacy.

The young slugger from Cebu proudly holds an impressive win-loss record of 19-1 with 15 wins coming via way of knockout.

Meanwhile, the South African heavy-puncher is undefeated in all of his nine bouts with all of them halted via knockout or technical stoppage.

The 26-year-old Araneta is seeking to prove his place in the light flyweight division and is eager to cruise past the South African to set up a highly-anticipated clash with Alvarado.