The teams for Christian Araneta and Thanongsak Simsri didn’t waste any team in reaching a deal.

BoxingScene has confirmed that the above-mentioned boxers are due to meet on June 19 in Tokyo. Their vacant IBF junior flyweight title fight is pending signed contracts returned to the New Jersey-based sanctioning body. 

“The IBF has granted tentative sanction approval for the IBF Jr. Flyweight vacant title between #1 rated Cristian Araneta and # 2 rated Thanongsak Simsri,” IBF Championship Committee chairman Carlos Ortiz told both parties in a letter obtained by BoxingScene. “The bout is scheduled to take place June 19, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. 

“Formal sanctions will be granted once the IBF receives the signed contracts for this bout.” 

The winner will claim the vacant title left behind by Masamichi Yabuki, 18-4 (17 KOs), who opted to remain at flyweight after he dethroned IBF 112lbs titlist Angel Ayala on March 29 in Tokoname, Japan.

The move opened the door for the Philippines’ Araneta, 25-2 (20 KOs), and Thailand’s Simsri, 38-1 (34 KOs), to compete for their first major title. 

Arenata is represented by Omega Sports Promotions. Simsri is signed with Green Tsuda Promotions, who will present the fight in association with event promoter Ohashi Promotions.

Araneta, a 30-year-old southpaw from Cebu, Philippines, has been the top contender to the title since his first-round knockout of Alvin Magramo last January. Just one fight has followed, a 58-second blitzing of Sanchai Yotboon last December that extended Araneta’s current six-fight win streak. 

He was in line to challenge Yabuki, who requested an exception to challenge for the IBF flyweight title.

Thailand’s Simsri actually fought Yabuki, the encounter that represents his lone career defeat. He suffered a seventh-round knockout in their September 2022 meeting. It was Yabuki’s first fight after a third-round knockout loss to Kenshiro Teraji in their rematch, which ended his WBC junior flyweight title reign. 

Meanwhile, Simsri rebounded in a big way. 

He will enter his first career title fight on the heels of a 14-fight win streak and will fight in Japan for the ninth time. His most prominent victory during that run was a 12-round, split decision victory over former strawweight titlist Masataka Taniguchi in their title eliminator last December 15 in Osaka, Japan.

The win secured Simsri, a 24-year-old Thai, as the IBF No. 2 contender, which guaranteed a title shot once Yabuki abdicated his throne. 

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.