Raquinel vs Cataraja - Fightnews Asia

Jay-R Raquinel Challenges KJ Cataraja for his OPBF Super Fly Belt Nov 11 in Japan! (Long Analysis + Fans Comments).

Raquinel and Cataraja, the two very best Super Flyweights from the Land of Lapu Lapu are in collision course.

Absolutely the two awesome prospects – both gifted with absolute power in their fists – are set to battle each other.

But the rumble will happen in Pinoyland.

The two exciting world-ranked Filipino will thrill, fight and shine in the Land of the Rising Sun!

Coming from a knockout win last June in Pakistan, “The Dreamer” Jay-R Raquinel (15-2-1, 12 KO’s) from Cauayan in Negros Occidental, will clash against fellow Visayas warrior, former ALA rising-star Kevin Jake “KJ” Cataraja (16-0, 13 KO’s) from the Queen City of the South, Cebu City

They will wage war for KJ’s OPBF Super Flyweight Belt, and what an exciting fight it will be!

Their hot 12-rounder clash will unfold on Saturday, November 11, in the big coastal City of Nagoya, one of the largest and most populated cities in Japan

The rumble is 90% done, with still some aspects being worked out and subject to final approval from authorities.

However, it seems that getting the OK for this thriller might not be a problem due to the superb quality of both fighters.

JAY-R RAQUINEL, “THE DREAMER”

Currently world-ranked as WBC #7, IBF #13 and WBO #12, the 26-year-old “Dreamer” has been winning and hoping to get in the ring against fellow southpaw, Japanese WBO 115 lbs world champion Junto Nakatani, but that fight hasn’t happened, as Jay-R has been wanting.

Instead of picking him, Nakatani will be defending Belt on Monday against Mexican Argi Cortes, a battle that most fans think might get won by the hard-hitting 25-year-old champion from Kanagawa.

Therefore, if Raquinel really wants Nakatani, he needs to impressively beat Cataraja in Japan.

Could he do it?

Not an easy mission. Raquinel will be facing arguably the most dangerous opponent that he has ever battled: KJ Cataraja, the most skilled and the one with more TNT in his blows. What will happen?

Interestingly, Jay-R Raquinel has battled in other countries, scoring exciting wins in lands as far away as Pakistan, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.

And that’s not it. Because “The Dreamer” has also fought in China; and claimed two consecutive KO wins in Japan (feeling that he can get a third nod there)

It is commendable what Jay-R has done this far. But he wants to scalp more.

“The Dreamer” is making his dreams come true. He can be proud of how he has been doing, impressively pressing forward his boxing career.

KJ CATARAJA: UNBEATEN, SKILLED, POWER-HITTER

The undefeated 28-year-old KJ Cataraja – a graduate in Criminology from the University of the Cebu – wants to win this one more than any other fight before.

Likely that’s because winning this one in Japan would put him more closer than ever to a world title shot.

However, unlike “The Dreamer,” KJ HAS never fought outside the country of Jose Rizal.

Would that be a problem?

Would that be major factor when facing an opponent as good as a like Raquinel in Japan? Maybe yes, maybe no.

KJ has seen action all over Pinoyland, from Bacolod to Bohol to Gensan to Sugbu to Tabuelan, but never in other countries, as Raquinel has.

For you, is this is a very important factor regarding mental preparation and confidence?

Is that so important to have a win in a foreign land in your record, or not really?

The latest win for the KJ Cataraja. – a former WBO Youth Champion, – was last February when he bested “El Heneral” Edward Heno (15-3-6, 5 KO’s) to claim the vacant OPBF 115-pound strap.

A former amateur standout, KJ is a warrior who has been trained by none other than former ALA head coach Edito Villamor.

Nevertheless, always ready and strong, both mentally and physically, KJ Cataraja plans to do whatever is necessary to keep not only his coveted WBC OPBF Super Flyweight Belt with him, but make himself known in Japan

Furthermore, wants to improve his standing in the world-rankings, inching closer to a world title fight in super flyweights, the division in which he is so good at.

The skilled KH Cararaja – who was a cherished protegé of beloved boxing patron don Antonio Aldeguer – is currently WBA #9, IBF #12 and WBO #8.

That is really fantastic, and those numbers will surely be going to IMPROVE should he get to beat “The Dreamer.”

Will that happen?

ONE BESIDES THE OTHER:

“The Dreamer” Raquinel, a talented southpaw, has been a pro fighter for over 9 years.

In contrast, KJ fights as an orthodox fighter, being a pro boxer for 8 years.

Before becoming pro, KJ competed in amateur tournaments for over 5 years.

Both, Raquinel and Cararaja are experienced prospects with excellent skills.

They both stand at a height of 5′ 5,″ both in the young and with dreams of glory, both wanting SO MUCH TO WIN!

Qquestions immediately pop up in boxing fans‘ minds in Lapu Lapu Land:

Who of the two will win, who is best one; and: is it really such a good idea to put Raquinel and Cataraja to fight each other instead of them going after other opponents????

Jay R Raquinel vs KJ Catarajain in Japan for the OPBF Super Flyweight Title is a hot production of Koki Kameda Promotions.

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL

THE triumphant one will not only get high in the world rankings of all four major sanctioning bodies, but also gets home the OPBF belt.

He also gets to be so well known by fans in Japan, getting him closer to a possible world title fight in Japan.

It is in Japan where two of the VERY best super flyweight champions in the planet live and fight:

WBO unbeaten 115?king Junto Nakatani (25-0, 19 KO’s) and WBA legend 115 champ Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KO’s).

See how crucial is fight is?

Managed by Akihiko Honda, Junto Nakatani defends his world title this coming Monday against Mexican Argie Cortes (25-3-2, 10 KO’s).

Nakatani has said that what he wants is to fight veteran WBC World Champion Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada (44-3, 28 KO’s). That is great.

But if that unification battle against Estrada does not happen, who are you going to fight with?

It should be active world rank, someone with a name that rings: someone like the winner of Raquinel vs Cataraja.

Both Ioka and Nakatani will need a challenger.

Absolutely, that is why Raquinel vs Cataraja is so important. I can see why it’s happening.

For both fighters it’s a must-must win war.

But who will the winner be?

FANS COMMENTS

As soon as I posted news about Raquinel vs Cataraja in my social media today, of course fans comments.

Here are some comments that I copy and paste to share with you:

Matt Jaw

Sheesh, parehong malakas. Subok nga Lang si Jay-R Raquinel sa mga dayuhan.

Ronald Bellas Francisco

Big challenge sa aton kasiman. Good luck sa laban idol…. tani ma dala mo ang belt sa Cauayan.

Eduardo Mercado Comabras Jr.:

“Parehong magaling..magndang laban toh…”

Ryan Felisilda:

“Sila gd gali nong balbalanay ba kapwa pinoy pa”

Ferdinand Oleta:

“Both are Phils top prospects. Why fight each other when it could have been better to bid to Japan for a bigger purse? But don’t get me wrong, I just wanted a bigger payday for our fighters.”

Lawrence Dizon Villalon:

“Hard to guess who wins.”

Arsenio Limbawan:

“Parehong patay gutom, ang mananalo maghahabol ng title shot kay Nakatani o Ioka”

Jervie Gonzaga

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

God bless, God is always with your side Just BELIEVE

Argie Taon:

“Kung sa akin lang ayaw ko mag laban ang dalawa si Kj tagal kunang kaibigan,si Raquinel taga sakin sa Candoni, Negros Occidental.”

Perez Kainayawan Clark:

“Both of them are my idols “

Isabelo Agreda Pigar:

“Both are quality boxers. Raquinel is quite the one with advantage. But, Cataraja has improved his stamina. That could be a 50/50 fight.”

Reycz Restauro Labajo:

“Jay-R Raquinel the best”

Alvin Reyes:

“Equally good”

Danimar Masayon:

“50-50”

Tito Dann:

“Dalawang pinoy sa Japan?”

(answer: yes)

Jonathan Almacen:

“Napaka Gandang match up to”

Robert Ates

Gandang laban to hahahaha puro Pinoy

Thats it. And what do you think? May the Best Man Win!

The author, 62-year-old senior boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama. Carlos has lived here in Asia since 1991. He is passionate about boxing since accompanying his grandfather to watch Roberto Duran defend against Hector Thompson in Panama in 1973. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.