CEBU CITY -- Two Filipino fighters vow to go all-out as they try to inch closer to realizing their dreams of becoming a world champion.

It’s the moment of truth for Christian “The Bomb” Araneta and Marvin “The Hurricane” Magramo as they clash in the main event of “Kumbati 16” fight card on Friday night, January 26, at the posh Nustar Resort Convention Center.

The two boxers showed their readiness for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight eliminator when they easily made the weight during the official weigh-in on Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Axis Bar of Nustar Resort and Casino.

The two fighters both tipped the scales at 107.8 pounds. 

The winner in the fight will become the mandatory challenger for the IBF light flyweight title, which is currently being held by Adrian “Gatito” Curiel of Mexico.

“I’ve prepared hard for this fight. I didn’t celebrate Christmas, the New Year, no parties because I really wanted to prepare for this fight,” the Borbon, Cebu native Araneta (23W-2L, 18KOs) said.

Araneta, the prized stalwart of the Cebu City-based Omega Boxing Gym, vowed to pull off an impressive win, and expressed confidence that he will finally emerge victorious after losing in two previous world title eliminator fights.

Araneta’s trainer Julius Erving Junco even came up with a bold prediction within earshot of Magramo.

“I will reiterate my prediction. It’s a KO. As his (Araneta) trainer for six years, I am confident that I have Class A boxer. His defense is very mature,” Junco said.

Magramo just shrugged off Araneta’s camp prediction, saying beating him is easier said than done.

“They can't be so sure that they can knock me out. I also trained hard for this fight, I trained for three months and I did not come here just to be beaten up. Let’s see if ‘The Bomb’ can stop ‘The Hurricane’,” said Magramo of Elorde Boxing Gym.

Araneta may have lost in two previous world title eliminator fights but for Omega Sports Promotion chief Pio Paulo Castillo, those twin defeats do not reflect what kind of a fighter his ward is.

“We failed to win in our previous world title eliminator bouts but we believe those fights were controversial. For us, Christian is unbeaten yet,” Castillo said.

Castillo said the 28-year-old Araneta is also not in a make-or-break situation yet even if he is fighting a third title eliminator already.

“If we lose, see you in the gym on Monday. We will see where the tide takes us,” said Castillo.

In the supporting main event, Froilan "The Sniper" Saludar (34-7-1, 24KOs) of Polomolok, South Cotabato will defend his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight belt against Japanese Keita Kurihara (17-8-1, 15KOs).