Hard-hitting Christian Araneta got quality work from a reigning Japanese world champion in the final days leading up to his shot at the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown.

Araneta, who faces Thanongsak Simsri of Thailand for the IBF 108-pound strap on 19 June at the Ota City Gymnasium in Tokyo, banged bodies with Kenshiro Teraji for three rounds at the Misako Gym on Monday afternoon.

An additional two rounds of sparring were provided by Yuga Inoue, enabling Araneta to rack up a total of five.

Teraji, holder of the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association flyweight straps, displayed utmost ring generalship and the Cebuano puncher only got his rhythm going in the third and last round.

But it was still a big boost to Araneta’s quest to bag the world title given the caliber of his sparring partner.

Araneta and his team arrived in the Japanese capital last Friday from the Queen City of the South where he had been getting ready under the watchful eyes of chief trainer Julius Erving Jungco.

On fight night, Araneta, 30, will parade a 25-2 win-loss record with 20 knockouts.

Based in Japan, Simsri, 24, will tote a 38-1 card with 34 knockouts.

If triumphant, Araneta will become the country’s third world champion after minimumweights Melvin Jerusalem and Pedro Taduran.