Caitom on cusp of world glory

CEBU, Philippines — The undefeated Cebuano boxer Rey “The Future” Caitom, Jr. finally gets a world title shot as he battles his compatriot Ar-Ar Andales for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) minimumweight belt in the Big Yellow Boxing Promotions’s Fight Night 4 on March 9 at Robinsons Galleria-Cebu.

The 32-year-old Caitom doesn’t mind what organization he is fighting as long as he will fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion, the very reason why he returned to boxing after a 12-year hiatus.

Caitom’s original plan was to have the fight done in Singapore were he is currently based. However, he couldn’t wait any longer, prompting him to grab the offer to slug it out with Andales, his 12 years juniors, for the WBF 105-pound strap.

“Kapoy kaayo sige’g training especially that I also have clients to attend to unya wala pay klaro kung kanus-a ko maka-fight og balik,” said Caitom. “Maong pag-offer ani sa akoa, ako dayon gi-grab kay gusto na gyud ko ma-world champion. Bahalag Pilipino pud akong kontra kay na-champion na man ni siya.”

Caitom holds a 9-0-1 record spiked with 4KOs, while Andales sports a 10-2 slates with 2KOs.

“Mas bata tuod siya nako, pero ready ko para niya,” assured Caitom, who will be seeing action back in his homeland for the first time in 14 years.

The Mandaue City slugger fought to a majority draw with Ruel Lagunero in his last match before his fellow countrymen on July 22, 2006 at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City. He was then under the fabled ALA Gym.

Caitom surprisingly retired after that, purportedly to seek greener pastures in Singapore where he is now working as a fitness trainer.

In November 2018, Caitom made a ring comeback in pursuit for his world championship dreams. He racked up three consecutive victories that culminated with a smashing second round knockout of Indonesian Frans Damur Palue to clinch the WBC Asia Boxing Council Continental minimumweight crown on September 28 last year at the Foochow Building in the Lion City.