| |
|
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:
2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda Press Conference Quotes
, Wed, 10 Jun 2026Steven Butler to face Edgar Berlanga on July 26 at the Infosys Theater of the Madison Square Garden in New York
, Wed, 10 Jun 2026Nimal Farmer scores signature win over Michael Anderson at Prudential Center
, Wed, 10 Jun 2026H2O EAGER TO MAKE STATEMENT AGAINST FORMER WORLD CHAMPION JOJO DIAZ IN HOMETOWN HEADLINER JUNE 19
, Wed, 10 Jun 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 JUNE 2026: Ramirez SD Lerrone; Baumstarh SD Bustillos; Vazquez, Mindoro Win in Texas; Yabuki, Moloney, Casimero and Angeletti Win in Japan
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 09 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Spurs Take Game 3, Beat Knicks in New York 115-111
By Reylan Loberternos, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026Casimero still rocking
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026Mascarinas faces tough competition in 66th San Carlos Charter Day
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026Raymond Muratalla Defends IBF Lightweight World Title Against Former Champion Robson Conceicao in Explosive Co-Main Event to Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda
, Tue, 09 Jun 2026IBA represented at the United Nations World Cup Diplomacy Summit in New York
, Tue, 09 Jun 2026Historic Costa Rican former champ Bryan Vasquez is arrested
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026Bruce Wren Tatad of Tanza, Cavite rules National Age Group Chess Championship ; vying Singapore chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026Suslenkov to face Joyce in a thrilling showdown at IBA PRO 19 in Moscow
, Mon, 08 Jun 2026Dalton Smith receives inaugural WBC Ricky Hatton Legacy Belt in front of thousands in Mancheste
, Mon, 08 Jun 2026Stacey King three time NBA Champion with Chicago Bulls passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026FM Daluz sweeps 10th AQ Prime chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026Llover vows comeback
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
