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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Christian Araneta guns for IBF light flyweight strap vs Thai

Christian Araneta guns for IBF light flyweight strap vs Thai

Published Jun 18, 2025 01:32 pm

At A Glance

  • Knockout artist Christian Araneta aims to be the fourth active Filipino world champion when he takes on Thai fighter Thanongsak Simsri for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title on Thursday, June 19 at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Japan.
Christian Araneta (left) is taking on Thai fighter Thanongsak Simsri for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title (Phoenix Promotions)
Christian Araneta (left) is taking on Thai fighter Thanongsak Simsri for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title (Phoenix Promotions)
Knockout artist Christian Araneta aims to be the fourth active Filipino world champion when he takes on Thai fighter Thanongsak Simsri for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title on Thursday, June 19 at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Japan.
Both fighters successfully made weight in the 108lbs limit on Wednesday, June 18.
The title fight is scheduled for 12 rounds with the Cebuano boxer determined to join minimumweight kings Pedro Taduran and Melvin Jerusalem as well as interim bantamweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr. as the country's current world champions.
Araneta is under no illusion that it would be an easy fight, not against a Thai foe who is boasting an impressive 38-1 record with 34 knockouts, including an on-going 14-fight win streak. The last of that was a split-decision victory over former Japanese champion Masataka Taniguchi, earning him the IBF No. 2 contender.
He is also no stranger to fighting against Filipinos having fought and defeated four in the past, including then prospects Miel Fajardo and John Paul Gabunilas
But the 30-year-old hard-fighting Araneta is not to be easily swayed by the numbers as he, himself, boasts an impressive 25-2 record with 20 knockouts while also being rated as the No. 1 contender by the IBF.
The pride of Mandaue City, Cebu is coming off a first round knockout victory over another Thai fighter Songchai Songklod just last December. It was his first fight since recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for more than half a year.
Araneta has been training in Japan with coach Julius Erving Jungco and dietician Jeaneth Aro.
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