Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Cataraja Defeats Heno by UD, captures OPBF superfly belt

By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 11 Feb 2023



Undefeated Filipino super flyweight KJ Cataraja kept his unblemished record when he defeated former world title challenger and compatriot Edward Heno via unanimous decision in General Santos City Saturday night and captured the vacant OPBF super flyweight belt promoted by Sanman Boxing and streamed live on Sanman's social media account.

Judge Elmer Costillas had it 117-111, Brembot Dulalas 116-112 and Edgar Olalo 118-110 all in favor of Cataraja. Philboxing had it 116-112 for Cataraja.

The Cebu-native Cataraja (16-0-0, 13KOs) piled up points by outboxing and outsmarting Heno (15-2-6, 5KOs) most of the night as Heno found it hard to penetrate Cataraja's solid defensive stance. Heno found some success in round five when he connected on combinations but failed to follow it up in the succeeding rounds. In the 9th round however Heno connected with an uppercut that staggered Cataraja. Sensing his opportunity to seize the fight, Heno went in for the kill but Cataraja held on to survive the round. Heno tried to press on the action in the championship rounds but Cataraja recovered to coast to victory.

Cataraja who is one of Naoya Inoue's regular sparring partners, is inching closer for a title shot as he is highly ranked by the WBO at No. 6 and No. 13 by the IBF in the super flyweight division. With the OPBF belt now in his possession, Cataraja is expected to land in the top 15 of the WBC in their next ranking.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 'THE COMEBACK' IS CONFIRMED: AJ RETURNS TO RIYADH ON JULY 25 AS HEAVYWEIGHT ICON FACES KRSITIAN PRENGA – LIVE ON DAZN
    Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • SANDOVAL vs YAFAI UNIFICATION WORLD TITLE FIGHT TOPS THE BILL IN SHEFFIELD ON JUNE 6 – LIVE ON DAZN – AS DALTON SMITH IS SIDELINED
    Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • IBA Global Boxing Series 2026 – India Edition delivers landmark night of professional boxing in Mumbai
    Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Xander Zayas Signs Multi-Year Extension with Top Rank
    Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Victor Wembanyama ties Shaquille O'Neal's Playoff Points-Rebounds-Blocks Record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Pinoy chesser bags gold in China tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • MELBOURNE FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS NICOLSON TAKES ON TURNER FOR THE WBC INTERIM WORLD TITLE
    Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • ‘I’m coming to put on a performance—something exciting, something real. Don’t blink – The Black Hulk Bilal Seidu is back May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Fil-Am Brandon Kier Sustento strikes again in US chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Llover nears title shot
    By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • All Star Boxing, Inc. Signs Undefeated Japanese Prospect Yuga Ozaki to Multi-Year Promotional Agreement
    Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Labog rules Okada Manila Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Dacullo Edges Cometa in Thriller, Remains GAB Philippine Youth Minimum weight Champion
    By Carlos Costa, Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • SKYE NICOLSON FIRES WARNING TO MARIAH TURNER AS SHE TARGETS HOMECOMING WIN THIS WEDNESDAY IN BID TO LAND UNDISPUTED SHOT
    Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Salim Ellis-Bey Concludes 2026 World Boxing Cup - Stage 1 with Silver Medal
    Mon, 27 Apr 2026