MASAM SPORTS 40: KJ CATARAJA PROMISES IMPRESSIVE WIN AGAINST ROMSHANE SARGUILLA
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 22 Feb 2022
World ranked contender Kevin Jake “KJ” Cataraja vows to deliver an impressive performance during his tussle with Romshane Sarguilla on February 26 at the Sanman Bubble Boxing VIII undercard in General Santos City.
The 26-year-old Cataraja of Tabuelan, Cebu clashes with 27-year-old Sarguilla of Mindsayap, North Cotabato.
Cataraja has been religiously training regularly for a long time now in Cebu under Zip Sanman Promotions, and he is not overconfident in his fight against Sarguilla.
"For me, he is working doubly hard but for me, I will give my best. We have prepared our game plan. We have been training despite us knowing late who our opponent will be, but we have already prepared for this," Cataraja told CDN Digital.
Cataraja graduated criminology from the University of the Visayas and is currently ranked No. 10 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight together with countrymen No. 1 contender four-division world champion Donnie Nietes and No. 14 Jade Bornea. The WBO superflyweight champion is Kazuto Ioka of Japan.
"In all my fights, I have always been prepared. I will not take my opponents lightly, whomever they will give to me as my opponent and they will say that my opponent is not good. But I will still not take him lightly," continued Cataraja.
"I will always show my best because I want to prove my talent if this can be good for international fights."
Cataraja, the former WBO Youth super flyweight champion, is unbeaten at a record of 13 wins with 11 knockouts. Sarguilla has a record of 7-6-2 with 4 knockouts.
The former ALA Gym fighter knocked out his last four opponents while Sarguilla is seeking a victory to recover from five straight losses.
Cataraja wants to experience boxing in the United States to measure his fighting abilities. "I would like to test my skills in the US so that I will know the limit of my talents. I am excited to go to the US," said Cataraja.
He had several experiences of training as sparring partner of lots of Japanese world champions including Naoya Inoue. He disclosed that he wants to travel again to Japan to spar with Japanese world champions.
He is only waiting for the Land of the Rising Sun to ease their pandemic travel restrictions. "We are waiting for Japan to open so that we can train there. They are also excited there for my career."
On July 11, 2015, Cataraja fought his professional debut by defeating Indonesian boxer Ardi Tefa via a 6th round knockout. Then he won again over Indonesian Ellias Nggenggo by a 4th round TKO.
Three months later, Cataraja grabbed another victory by beating Mexican Pedro Antonio Rodriguez, via a unanimous decision in eight rounds.
On November 24, 2018, Cataraja defeated Mexican boxer Victor Hugo Reyes by a unanimous decision in ten rounds. He won the vacant WBO Youth Super Flyweight Title. Cataraja's next bout was against Delfin de Asis via TKO3.
On September 23, 2019, Cataraja seized his 11th-straight win against Crison Omayao via TKO3. On December 17, 2020, Cataraja annihilated John Mark Apolinario by KO1. Then he defeated Cris Alfante on July 16, 2021 by TKO7.
Sanman Promotions and ZIP Boxing will be back on February 26 this time with its prospect Esneth Domingo clashing with Jesse Espinas in the main event. The fight will be for ten rounds under the flyweight limit with Cataraja versus Sarguilla in the undercard.
Also featured in the fight card will be minimumweight top rated contender and OPBF titlist Melvin Jerusalem who will face Ramel Antaran in an eight round battle.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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