Raquinel ready to fight Cataraja in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 23 Oct 2023
JAYR “The Dreamer” Raquinel of Negros Occidental is now ready to challenge newly-crowned Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super flyweight champion Kevin Jake "KJ" Cataraja of Cebu on November 11 at the Prefectural Budokan in Nagoya, Japan.
“I'm ready and excited for the fight,” said the 26-year-old Raquinel.
Raquinel (15-2-1, 12KOs) is still in Benguet together with his coach Alan Alegria, a former Philippine welterweight champion.
He has been sparring with lightweight MJ “Young Gun” Uduna (7-2-2, 3KOs) of La Trinidad.
"It’s a good fight. He is a quality boxer, so he should be well prepared,' said Raquinel.
He is only 121 pounds after the training.
“I hope to get the title. That’s why I trust myself," said Raquinel, who is still waiting for the tickets to Japan.
It will be the first time for Cataraja to fight in Japan and the first to defend title. But it is not for Raquinel since he has already fought three times in Japan and won them all.
Raquinel knocked out Keisuke Nakayama in the 9th round to grab the OPBF flyweight title last March 13, 2018 in Japan.
He then defended it successfully by stopping Shun Kosaka in the 4th round last May 27, 2018 in Big Wave, Wakayama, Japan.
In his second title-defense, Raquinel scored a technical knockout in the 8th round against Takuya Kogawa last August 23, 2019 in Korakuen Hall, Japan.
But Raquinel failed to defend his title in 2020 and so he was stripped of the crown.
He then challenged Wulan Tuolehazi of China for the WBC Silver flyweight title but he lost by a unanimous decision last September 28, 2018 in China.
Raquinel then fought WBO Oriental and International flyweight champion Giemel Magramo of Paranaque City for the vacant OPBF flyweight title last October 23, 2021 at the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque but he lost again by a unanimous decision.
Raquinel bounced back in 2022 with a TKO win over undefeated Landi Ngxeke for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental super flyweight title in the 2nd round last October 23, 2022 in South Africa.
He won again in his next fight by stopping former PBF super flyweight champion Arnold Garde of President Roxas by a 1st round TKO last February 23, 2023 in Calape.
In his last fight, Raquinel knocked out Moensaku Yor of Indonesia in the 1st round last June 24, 2023 in Pakistan.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
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