Cebuano Aranas faces ex-world champ Cafu in South Africa

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebuano boxer Jemuel Aranas is set for the biggest fight of his young professional career as he takes on former world champion Phumelela Cafu on August 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Aranas, one of the top fighters from Cebu’s Chao Sy Boxing Stable, will battle the hometown favorite in a 10-round super flyweight bout. It will be the 21-year-old’s first fight overseas since turning professional four years ago.

The Carcar City native carries a 9-3-1 record with five knockouts and heads into the bout riding a two-fight winning streak.

READ: Aranas, Noynay clash for WBF Silver flyweight belt

He defeated Renoel Pael in Masbate last March before stopping Jeric Noynay in the third round at the Cebu Coliseum on May 9 to capture the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Silver flyweight title.

Last year, Aranas stayed active with four fights, earning a technical knockout victory over Anthony Gilbuela in Cebu City.

Standing in his way is the 27-year-old Cafu, who boasts an impressive 11-1-3 record with eight knockouts. The South African is a former World Boxing Organization super flyweight world champion after dethroning Kosei Tanaka by split decision in Japan.

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Cafu, however, is looking to bounce back after suffering the first loss of his career in a world title unification bout against Jesse Rodriguez in Texas last July, a defeat that also cost him his world title.

For Cafu, the fight marks the start of his comeback bid. For Aranas, it presents the opportunity to score the biggest upset of his boxing career and present himself as the next big thing on the international stage.

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