By - George Delis (@Delisketo)
Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (16-2): WBA World champion The 2012 Olympic champion could be going up against Chris Eubank Jr. in the coming months. Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (17-1): WBO #8 / WBC #15 Inoue ended 2020 with 1 defense of his WBO Asia Pacific title. Welterweight: -Keita Obara (23-4): IBF #5 Obara defeated Yuki Nagano last February, winning the Japanese strap once more. -Yuki Beppu (21-1): WBO #12 Beppu hasn’t fought since his slugfest with Ryota Yada in 2019. Super Lightweight: -Andy Hiraoka (16-0): IBF #12 Hiraoka will return to action on March 11th (Opponent TBA). Lightweight: -Shuichiro Yoshino (13-0): WBO #7 / WBA #11 / WBC #13 / IBF #15 Yoshino defended his Japanese, OBPF & WBO Asia Pacific belts against Valentine Hosokawa this past September. His next fight will most likely be in spring. The unbeaten Hironori Mishiro is said to be the challenger. -Masayoshi Nakatani (19-1): IBF #10 / WBO #14 Nakatani shocked everyone when he knocked out Felix Verdejo, after being dropped himself twice, to become the WBO Intercontinental champion. Super Featherweight: -Kenichi Ogawa (25-1): IBF #3 / WBA #5 / WBO #8 / WBC #15 Ogawa bested Kazuhiro Nishitani 4 months ago. -Kosuke Saka (20-5): WBO #15 Saka will be defending his Japanese title against former WBO Asia Pacific champion Takuya Watanabe on January 22nd. Featherweight: -Tomoki Kameda (36-3): WBA #12 The former WBO Bantamweight & interim WBC Super Bantamweight champion is planning his Featherweight debut. -Musashi Mori (12-0): WBO #4 Mori will put his WBO Asia Pacific crown on the line, in a double title fight, against Olympic medalist and OPBF champion Satoshi Shimizu on May 13th. -Hiroshige Osawa (36-5): WBA #2 / IBF #8 Osawa has been inactive since 2019. -Ryo Sagawa (10-1): WBC #8 / IBF #11 / WBO #15 Sagawa will mark the 3rd defense of his Japanese title against Hinata Maruta on February 11th. -Ryo Matsumoto (24-3): IBF #15 The former world title challenger takes on Takashi Igarashi on March 11th. -Reiya Abe (20-3): IBF #12 Abe beat the unbeaten Ren Sasaki (10-1) this past October. Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (27-3): interim IBF World champion Iwasa secured the interim IBF title, after stopping Marlon Tapales in 2019. He will unify with the WBA/IBF champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev on March 13th. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (22-2): IBF #3 / WBC #4 Teshigawara has defended his OPBF championship 4 times overall, all knockouts. -Ryo Akaho (36-2): IBF #12 / WBO #13 The former 2x world title challenger closed 2020 in spectacular fashion, obliterating Yuto Nakamura with a devastating uppercut. Bantamweight -Naoya Inoue (20-0): WBA (Super) & IBF World champion The Monster dispatched Jason Moloney last October. His next title defense could be against longtime mandatory IBF contender Michael Dasmarinas. -Daigo Higa (17-1): WBA #8 / WBC #15 Higa knocked out Yuki Strong Kobayashi on NYE, capturing the WBO Asia Pacific title in the process. -Takuma Inoue (14-1): WBC #7 / WBO #7 The former interim WBC champion managed to defeat Keita Kurihara, on January 14th, for the OPBF title. Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (26-2): WBO World champion Ioka gave the 3 division world champion Kosei Tanaka his first professional loss on New Year’s Eve, knocking him down twice before the referee stopped the match in the 8th round. -Ryoji Fukunaga (13-4): IBF #9 Fukunaga scored his 13th KO in his recent encounter with Kenta Nakagawa to unify the Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific titles. -Sho Ishida (29-2): IBF #12 / WBA #13 Ishida beat Toshiya Ishii in November. -Kosei Tanaka (15-1): WBO #1 Tanaka tasted defeat for the 1st time, at the hands of Kazuto Ioka. Flyweight: -Junto Nakatani (21-0): WBO World champion. After a masterful performance, Nakatani stopped Giemel Magramo to win the vacant WBO championship. -Ryota Yamauchi (7-1): WBA #2 / IBF #10 / WBO #10 Yamauchi became the WBO Asia Pacific champion this past August. Light Flyweight: -Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0): WBA (Super) World champion. Kyoguchi recently signed with Matchroom. -Kenshiro Teraji (17-0): WBC World champion. The JBC suspended Kenshiro’s license for 3 months, after he drunkenly damaged someones vehicle. -Katsunari Takayama (32-8): WBA #4 The former king of the Strawweights made a successful Light Flyweight debut against 2x world title challenger Reiya Konishi on December 27th. -Kenichi Horikawa (41-16): WBC #5 / IBF #7 / WBA #13 The 20 year veteran scored an upset stoppage win over rising star Daiki Tomita. -Masamichi Yabuki (12-3): WBC #3 / WBA #7 / IBF #9 / WBO #13 Yabuki defended his Japanese title for the first time against Toshimasa Ouchi. -Riku Kano (17-4): WBO #7 / IBF #12 Kano became the WBO Asia Pacific champion last November. Strawweight: -Ginjiro Shigeoka (5-0): WBA #10 / WBC #10 / WBO #11 / IBF #12 The WBO Asia Pacific champion’s comeback fight is expected to take place soon. -Masataka Taniguchi (13-3): WBO #3 Taniguchi recently captured the Japanese title. -Tsubasa Koura (15-1): IBF #7 / WBC #9 / WBO #12 Koura hasn’t competed since last February. -Norihito Tanaka (20-8): WBC #11 / WBA #15 Tanaka beat Yuni Takada this past November. (Image credit - Celes Gym)
0 Comments
By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (16-2): WBA (Regular) World champion The Olympic champion knocked out Steven Butler (28-2) in his inaugural WBA title defence on New Year’s Eve. A match with Canelo could be realised in Fall. Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (16-1): WBO #10 / IBF #14 / WBC #15 Inoue made short work of Thai veteran Komsan Polsan (39-12) to become the WBO Asia Pacific champion for the second time. He also dominated Chinese fighter Cheng Su (14-3) on January 18th. Welterweight: -Keita Obara (23-4): IBF #4 Obara successfully challenged Yuki Nagano (17-3) on February 1st, winning the Japanese strap once more, this time in a different weight class. -Yuki Beppu (21-1): WBO #14 In what was an absolute thriller, Yuki Beppu came back from 5 knockdowns and stopped Ryota Yada (19-6), capturing the WBO Asia Pacific title in the process. Super Lightweight: -Koki Inoue (15-0): WBO #15 The unified Japanese & WBO Asia Pacific champion will put his national title on the line, against Daishi Nagata (14-2) on March 16th. -Andy Hiraoka (15-0): IBF #14 / WBC #20 The Japanese youngster earned the biggest win of his career, this past summer, over former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo (32-9). He also made a successful US debut against Rogelio Casarez (13-9) on November 30th. Lightweight: -Shuichiro Yoshino (11-0): WBO #13 / WBC #15 Yoshino knocked out Harmonito Dela Torre (20-3) in just one round to unify the Japanese, OBPF & WBO Asia Pacific belts. He now meets Izuki Tomioka (7-2) on February 13th. Super Featherweight: -Masayuki Ito (26-2): WBO #5 / WBC #13 The former World titlist was supposed to be involved in a WBO final eliminator, on February 2nd, but due to an injury, he’s out of the match. -Kenichi Ogawa (24-1): IBF #3 / WBA #4 / WBO #7 / WBC #18 Ogawa’s fight with Joe Noynay (18-2), from this past December, ended with a technical draw. -Kazuhiro Nishitani (21-4): IBF #9 Nishitani beat Monico Laurente (30-16) 2 months ago. Featherweight: -Tomoki Kameda (36-3): WBA #4 / WBC #15 The former WBO Bantamweight & interim WBC Super Bantamweight champion is planning his Featherweight debut. -Musashi Mori (11-0): WBO #6 / WBC #22 Mori defended his WBO Asia Pacific title twice in 2019, against the former champion Richard Pumicpic (21-10) as well as Takuya Mizuno (17-2). -Hiroshige Osawa (36-5): WBA #1 / IBF #10 / WBC #19 Osawa defeated Jason Butar Butar (32-27) back in October. -Ryo Sagawa (9-1): WBC #9 / IBF #14 / WBO #15 Sagawa earned a unanimous decision over Ryo Hino (13-2) to retain his Japanese title. Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (27-3): interim IBF World champion Iwasa secured the interim IBF title, after stopping Marlon Tapales (33-3), this past December. He is expected to unify with the new WBA/IBF champion & Olympic Bronze medalist Murodjon Akhmadaliev (8-0) later this year. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (21-2): IBF #7 Teshigawara has defended his OPBF championship 3 times in 2019, against Yuki Iriguchi (10-3), Shohei Kawashima (18-4) and former world title challenger Shohei Omori (21-3). All knockout victories. -Yukinori Oguni (21-2): WBA #4 The former IBF champion hasn’t competed since last May. Bantamweight -Naoya Inoue (19-0): WBA (Super) & IBF World champion The Monster will be involved in another unification match, on April 25th, this time with the WBO champion John Riel Casimero (29-4). -Daigo Higa (15-1): WBC #7 The former WBC Flyweight World champion will make his Bantamweight debut on February 13th against Jason Buenaobra (7-4). -Keita Kurihara (15-5): IBF #5 Kurihara scored 2 knockout victories in 2019 over former world title challenger Warlito Parrenas (26-10) and the IBF Pan Pacific champion Sukpraserd Ponpitak (24-11). -Yuki Strong Kobayashi (15-8): IBF #12 / WBO #14 / WBC #21 Kobayashi defended his WBO Asia Pacific title against Ki Chang Go (8-4) on December 22nd. -Takuma Inoue (13-1): WBC #6 The former interim WBC champion will resume his career in 2020. Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (24-2): WBO World champion. Japan’s first ever 4 division World champion broke the undefeated streak of Jeyvier Cintron (11-1) to successfully retain his WBO crown on New Year’s Eve. Ioka hopes to face the WBC champion Juan Francisco Estrada (40-3) next. Flyweight: -Kosei Tanaka (15-0): WBO World champion Tanaka obliterated Wulan Tuolehazi (13-4), on New Year’s Eve, in just a few rounds. The 3 division World champion has expressed his wish to move up to Super Flyweight and challenge Kazuto Ioka. -Junto Nakatani (20-0): WBA #1 / WBC #3 / WBO #3 / IBF #7 Nakatani scored the biggest win of his career last October, when he outclassed former IBF World champion Milan Melindo (37-5). -Ryota Yamauchi (5-1): WBA #3 Yamauchi beat the WBA Asia champion Alphoe Dagayloan (14-3) last year. He now takes on MJ Bo (8-3) on February 14th. -Akira Yaegashi (28-7): IBF #12 The former 3 division champion came up short in his quest to recapture the IBF title. Light Flyweight: -Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0): WBA (Super) World champion. Kyoguchi will return to action either in April or in May. -Kenshiro Teraji (17-0): WBC World champion. The unstoppable Kenshiro marked his 7th title defense, on December 23rd, over former interim WBA champion Randy Petalcorin (31-4). -Sho Kimura (18-3): WBO #7 / WBA #10 Former World champions collide on February 15th, as Sho Kimura squares off with Merlito Sabillo (27-7) in the Philippines. -Daiki Tomita (14-1): WBO #13 Tomita returned the WBO Asia Pacific title and will now be fighting Kenichi Horikawa (40-16) for the vacant OPBF championship, on March 1st. -Yuto Takahashi (11-4): IBF #6 The Japanese champion defends against Masamichi Yabuki (10-3) on March 15th. -Reiya Konishi (17-2): IBF #8 / WBC #16 Konishi failed to capture the IBF title from Felix Alvarado (35-2). -Masamichi Yabuki (10-3): WBC #12 Yabuki challenges Yuto Takahashi for the Japanese belt as aforementioned. -Tetsuya Hisada (34-10): WBC #3 / IBF #4 Hisada’s impressive 13 fight winning streak came to an end, when he challenged Hiroto Kyoguchi for the WBA (Super) title. -Kenichi Horikawa (40-16): WBC #5 / IBF #13 As mentioned above, Horikawa and Daiki Tomita will face each other for the OPBF strap. Strawweight: -Ginjiro Shigeoka (5-0): WBA #8 / WBO #14 / WBC #14 Shigeoka knocked out former world title challenger Rey Loreto (25-15) on December 31st to retain his WBO Asia Pacific championship. -Norihito Tanaka (19-7): WBC #3 / IBF #3 / WBO #5 / WBA #13 Tanaka vacated the Japanese title, as he aims at a world championship fight in 2020. -Masataka Taniguchi (12-3): WBO #4 / WBC #11 The former WBO Asia Pacific champion Taniguchi will clash with the OPBF champion Lito Dante (16-11) on March 17th, for both the OPBF & the vacant Japanese titles. -Takumi Sakae (22-3): WBO #11 / IBF #13 / WBC #40 Sakae fought thrice last year, knocking out all of his opponents. -Tsubasa Koura (14-1): WBC #9 / IBF #14 Koura is scheduled to return on February 27th, against Yujie Zeng (14-10). By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Heavyweight: -Kyotaro Fujimoto (21-1): WBA #13 The former K-1 star will face his biggest challenge to date, on December 21st, as he tales on the British, Commonwealth & WBO International champion Daniel Dubois (13-0). Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (15-2): WBA (Regular) World champion The 2012 Olympic Gold medalist got his revenge on Rob Brant (25-2) in Osaka, reclaiming his WBA title. He will mark his inaugural defense on December 23rd against the WBC International champion Steven Butler (28-1). Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (15-1): WBO #11 / IBF #15 / WBC #22 Inoue made short work of Thai veteran Komsan Polsan (39-11) in August, to become the WBO Asia Pacific champion for the second time. He is scheduled to fight again next year, on January 18th. Welterweight: -Keita Obara (22-4): IBF #4 After losing to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (17-0) earlier this year, Obara bounced back with victories Indonesian journeyman Yosmar Kefi (9-12) and Toshiro Tarumi (12-4). Super Lightweight: -Andy Hiraoka (15-0): IBF #14 The Japanese youngster earned the biggest win of his career, this past July, against former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo (32-9). Hiraoka made a successful US debut against Rogelio Casarez (13-9) on November 30th. Lightweight: -Shuichiro Yoshino (11-0): WBO #13 / WBC #23 Yoshino knocked out Harmonito Dela Torre (20-3) in the very first round to become the unified Japanese, OBPF & WBO Asia Pacific champion and to finally enter the world rankings. Super Featherweight: -Kenichi Ogawa (24-1): IBF #3 / WBA #4 / WBO #10 / WBC #24 Ogawa will challenge Joe Noynay (18-2) for the WBO Asia Pacific championship, on December 7th, at the legendary Korakuen Hall. -Masaru Sueyoshi (19-1): WBO #3 / WBC #21 Sueyoshi will meet Kosuke Saka (19-5), on December 7th, for the 5th defense of his Japanese title. -Kazuhiro Nishitani (20-4): IBF #12 Nishitani has been 5-0 since 2016, knocking out every single one of his opponents. He will compete again on December 7th, against Chikato Sumida (8-3). Featherweight: -Musashi Mori (10-0): WBO #7 / WBC #24 Mori defended his WBO Asia Pacific title against the former champion Richard Pumicpic (21-10) this past April. His second one will take place on December 8th as he faces Takuya Mizuno (17-1). -Hiroshige Osawa (36-5): WBA #1 / IBF #13 / WBC #19 The former world title challenger defeated Indonesian veteran Jason Butar Butar (30-27) on October 1st. -Ryo Sagawa (8-1): WBC #13 / WBO #15 The new Japanese champion will put his title on the line for the first time, on December 12th, against Ryo Hino (13-1). Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3): IBF #1 In a clash of former World champions, Iwasa meets Marlon Tapales (33-2), on December 7th, for the interim IBF Super Bantamweight title, in New York. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (20-2): IBF #7 Teshigawara will defend his OPBF championship for the 3rd time, on December 12th, against Shohei Kawashima (18-3). -Yukinori Oguni (21-2): WBA #3 The former IBF World champion defeated Sukpraserd Ponpitak (24-10) in May. -Yusaku Kuga (19-3): WBC #7 The 2 time Japanese champion will square off with Jhunriel Ramonal (16-8) on December 31st for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title. -Tomoki Kameda (36-3): WBC #5 The former WBO Bantamweight & interim WBC Super Bantamweight champion is aiming to compete for a Featherweight World championship in 2020. Bantamweight -Naoya Inoue (19-0): WBA (Super) & IBF World champion Inoue went to war with Nonito Donaire (40-6) and emerged the 4th WBSS tournament winner. He now holds the IBF, WBA (Super) and the RING Bantamweight titles. The Monster expressed interest in fighting 3 division World champion John Riel Casimero (29-4) after the Filipino stopped Zolani Tete for the WBO crown. -Daigo Higa (15-1): WBC #7 The former WBC Flyweight World champion has been training for his upcoming return to the ring in early 2020. -Keita Kurihara (15-5): IBF #9 / WBC #15 Kurihara defended his OPBF title in May, after knocking out former world title challenger Warlito Parrenas (26-10). He then made short work of the IBF Pan Pacific champion Sukpraserd Ponpitak (24-11) on November 15th. After the match, he declared that he wishes to face the returning Daigo Higa. -Yuki Strong Kobayashi (15-8): IBF #12 / WBO #15 / WBC #26 Kobayashi won the WBO Asia Pacific title, this past May, from Ben Mananquil (17-2). He will defend it against Korean fighter Ki Chang Go (8-3) on December 22nd. -Takuma Inoue (13-1): WBC #5 The former interim WBC champion came up short in the unification battle with Nordine Oubaali (17-0). Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (24-2): WBO World champion. Ioka defeated Aston Palicte (25-3) in June to capture the vacant WBO strap and to become the 1st ever Japanese 4 division World champion. His inaguaral defense will take place on December 31st, against the undefeated Jeyvier Cintron (11-0), in Japan. -Sho Ishida (28-1): IBF #5 / WBC #12 In a battle of former world title challengers, Ishida takes on Israel Gonzalez (24-3) in an IBF eliminator, on December 28th. -Takayuki Okumoto (23-8): IBF #13 / WBC #20 The Japanese champion will defend his belt for the 5th time against Kenta Nakagawa (17-3) on December 8th. -Koki Eto (24-5): IBF #7 / WBO #13 / WBC #26 Eto lost to Jeyvier Cintron (11-0) in August. Flyweight: -Kosei Tanaka (14-0): WBO World champion Tanaka will put his title on the line for the 3rd time this year, on New Year’s Eve, when he defends against the WBA International champion Wulan Tuolehazi (13-3). -Akira Yaegashi (28-6): IBF #14 The 3 division World champion will challenge Moruti Mthalane (38-2) for the IBF title, on December 23rd, at the Yokohama Arena, in Japan. -Yusuke Sakashita (19-8): WBO #13 / WBC #31 Sakashita stopped former world title contender Masahiro Sakamoto (13-3) to become the new WBO Asia Pacific champion. He then knocked out Naoki Mochizuki (16-5), in a revenge match from 2016. -Masayuki Kuroda (30-8): IBF #11 / WBC #18 Kuroda went to war with Moruti Mthalane (38-2) for the IBF World title, this past May, but couldn’t bring the belt back home. Light Flyweight: -Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0): WBA (Super) World champion. Kyoguchi has defended the WBA strap twice this year, against Muay Thai champion Tanawat Nakoon (11-1) as well as 15 year veteran Tetsuya Hisada (34-10). -Kenshiro Teraji (16-0): WBC World champion. The unstoppable Kenshiro will mark his 7th title defense, on December 23rd, over former interim WBA champion Randy Petalcorin (31-3). -Daiki Tomita (14-1): WBO #14 Tomita earned the vacant WBO Asia Pacific championship after defeating Hayato Yamaguchi (15-8) in September. -Yuto Takahashi (11-4): WBC #6 / IBF #7 Takahashi defeated the veteran Kenichi Horikawa (40-16) to become the new Japanese champion. -Reiya Konishi (17-2): IBF #8 / WBC #16 Konishi failed to capture the IBF title from Felix Alvarado (35-2). -Sho Kimura (18-3): WBO #7 / WBA #10 The former WBO Flyweight World champion lost a unanimous decision to Carlos Canizales (22-0) for the WBA (Regular) World title in China. Rumor has it that he might rematch Olympic champion Shiming Zou, although nothing has been confirmed. -Tetsuya Hisada (34-10): WBC #4 / IBF #5 Hisada’s impressive 13 fight winning streak came to an end, when he challenged Hiroto Kyoguchi for the WBA (Super) title 2 months ago. -Kenichi Horikawa (40-16): WBC #8 / IBF #13 Horikawa lost the Japanese title to Yuto Takahashi (11-4) on October 10th. Strawweight: -Norihito Tanaka (19-7): WBC #3 / IBF #4 / WBO #6 / WBA #13 Tanaka won the Japanese title this past January, and defended it in June against Naoya Haruguchi (15-11). -Masataka Taniguchi (12-3): WBO #5 / WBC #10 Taniguchi defeated Kai Ishizawa (6-1) in September. -Takumi Sakae (22-3): WBO #12 / IBF #13 / WBC #36 Sakae has fought thrice this year and has knocked out all of his opponents. -Tsubasa Koura (14-1): WBC #8 / IBF #14 The former OPBF champion was scheduled to face Silem Serang (15-20) on November 9th but the match was cancelled. By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Heavyweight: -Kyotaro Fujimoto (21-1): WBA #12 The former K-1 star will face his biggest challenge in the boxing ring, on December 21st, as he tales on the British, Commonwealth & WBO International champion Daniel Dubois (13-0). Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (15-2): WBA (Regular) World champion The 2012 Olympic Gold medalist got his revenge on Rob Brant (25-2) in Osaka, reclaiming his WBA title. He will mark his inaugural defense on December 23rd against the WBC International champion Steven Butler (28-1). Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (15-1): WBO #11 / IBF #15 / WBC #21 Inoue made short work of Thai veteran Komsan Polsan (39-11) in August, to become the WBO Asia Pacific champion for the second time. He is scheduled to fight again next year, on January 18th. Welterweight: -Keita Obara (22-4): IBF #7 After losing to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (17-0) earlier this year, Obara bounced back with victories Indonesian journeyman Yosmar Kefi (9-12) and Toshiro Tarumi (12-4). Super Lightweight: -Andy Hiraoka (14-0): IBF #14 The Japanese youngster earned the biggest win of his career, this past July, against former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo (31-9). Hiraoka makes his US debut against Rogelio Casarez (13-8) on November 30th. Super Featherweight: -Kenichi Ogawa (24-1): IBF #3 / WBA #6 / WBO #11 Ogawa will challenge Joe Noynay (18-2) for the WBO Asia Pacific championship, on December 7th, at the legendary Korakuen Hall. -Masaru Sueyoshi (19-1): WBO #4 / WBC #22 Sueyoshi will meet Kosuke Saka (19-5), on December 7th, for the 5th defense of his Japanese title. -Kazuhiro Nishitani (20-4): WBO #13 / IBF #15 Nishitani has been 5-0 since 2016, knocking out every single one of his opponents. He will compete again on December 7th, against Chikato Sumida (8-3). Featherweight: -Musashi Mori (10-0): WBO #9 / WBC #24 Mori defended his WBO Asia Pacific title against the former champion Richard Pumicpic (21-10) this past April. His second one will take place on December 8th as he faces Takuya Mizuno (17-1). -Hiroshige Osawa (36-5): WBA #1 / IBF #13 / WBC #19 The former world title challenger defeated Indonesian veteran Jason Butar Butar (30-27) on October 1st. -Ryo Sagawa (8-1): WBC #13 The new Japanese champion will put his title on the line for the first time, on December 12th, against Ryo Hino (13-1). Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3): IBF #1 In a clash of former World champions, Iwasa meets Marlon Tapales (33-2), on December 7th, for the interim IBF Super Bantamweight title, in New York. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (20-2): IBF #7 Teshigawara will defend his OPBF championship for the 3rd time, on December 12th, against Shohei Kawashima (18-3). -Yukinori Oguni (21-2): WBA #3 The former IBF World champion defeated Sukpraserd Ponpitak (24-10) in May. -Yusaku Kuga (19-3): WBC #7 Kuga became once again the Japanese champion after earning a unanimous decision over Ryoichi Tamura (12-5) a few months ago. He made his first title defense on September 21st against Yosuke Fujihara (18-7), knocking him out in the opening round. -Tomoki Kameda (36-3): WBC #5 The former WBO Bantamweight & interim WBC Super Bantamweight champion is aiming to compete for a Featherweight World championship in 2020. Bantamweight -Naoya Inoue (19-0): WBA (Super) & IBF World champion Inoue went to war with Nonito Donaire (40-6) and emerged the 4th WBSS tournament winner. He now holds the IBF, WBA (Super) and the RING Bantamweight titles. -Daigo Higa (15-1): WBC #5 The former WBC Flyweight World champion has been training for his upcoming return to the ring in early 2020. -Keita Kurihara (14-5): IBF #9 / WBC #13 Kurihara defended his OPBF crown in May, after knocking out former world title challenger Warlito Parrenas (26-10). He will fight the IBF Pan Pacific champion Sukpraserd Ponpitak (24-10) on November 15th next. -Yuki Strong Kobayashi (15-8): IBF #12 / WBO #15 / WBC #25 Kobayashi won the WBO Asia Pacific title, this past May, from Ben Mananquil (17-2). He will defend against Korean fighter Ki Chang Go (8-3) on December 22nd. Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (24-2): WBO World champion. Ioka defeated Aston Palicte (25-3) in June to capture the vacant WBO strap and to become the 1st ever Japanese 4 division World champion. His inaguaral defense will take place on December 31st, against the undefeated Jeyvier Cintron (11-0), in Japan. -Sho Ishida (28-1): IBF #5 / WBC #12 In a battle of former world title challengers, Ishida takes on Israel Gonzalez (24-3) in an IBF eliminator, on December 28th. -Takayuki Okumoto (23-8): IBF #13 / WBC #21 The Japanese champion will defend his belt for the 5th time against Kenta Nakagawa (17-3) on December 8th. -Koki Eto (24-5): IBF #7 / WBO #13 / WBC #26 Eto lost to Jeyvier Cintron (11-0) in August. Flyweight: -Kosei Tanaka (14-0): WBO World champion Tanaka has successfully retained his title twice this year, over former WBA & IBF Light Flyweight World champion Ryoichi Taguchi (27-4) as well as Jonathan Gonzalez (22-3). -Akira Yaegashi (28-6): IBF #14 The 3 division World champion will challenge Moruti Mthalane (38-2) for the IBF title, on December 23rd, at the Yokohama Arena. -Yusuke Sakashita (18-8): WBO #15 / WBC #28 Sakashita stopped former world title contender Masahiro Sakamoto (13-3) to become the new WBO Asia Pacific champion. He then knocked out Naoki Mochizuki (16-5), in a revenge match from 2016. -Masayuki Kuroda (30-8): IBF #11 / WBC #15 Kuroda went to war with Moruti Mthalane (38-2) for the IBF World title, this past May, but couldn’t bring the belt back home. Light Flyweight: -Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0): WBA (Super) World champion. Kyoguchi has defended the WBA strap 2 times in 2019, against Muay Thai champion Tanawat Nakoon (11-1) as well as 15 year veteran Tetsuya Hisada (34-10). -Ken Shiro (16-0): WBC World champion. The unstoppable Ken Shiro made short work of Jonathan Taconing (28-4) in July, to mark his 6th title defense. He will be involved in a unification match with the IBF champion Felix Alvarado (35-2) on December 23rd. -Tetsuya Hisada (34-10): WBC #5 / IBF #5 Hisada’s impressive 13 fight winning streak came to an end, when he challenged Hiroto Kyoguchi for the WBA (Super) title, on October 1st. -Daiki Tomita (14-1): WBO #15 Tomita earned the vacant WBO Asia Pacific championship after defeating Hayato Yamaguchi (15-8) in September. -Yuto Takahashi (11-4): IBF #7 / WBC #8 Takahashi defeated the veteran Kenichi Horikawa (40-16) to become the new Japanese champion. -Reiya Konishi (17-2): IBF #8 / WBC #18 Konishi failed to capture the IBF title from Felix Alvarado (35-2). -Sho Kimura (18-3): WBO #9 / WBA #10 The former WBO Flyweight World champion lost a unanimous decision to Carlos Canizales (22-0) for the WBA (Regular) World title in China. Rumor has it that he might rematch Olympic champion Shiming Zou, although nothing has been confirmed. -Kenichi Horikawa (40-16): IBF #13 / WBC #10 Horikawa lost the Japanese title to Yuto Takahashi (11-4) on October 10th. Strawweight: -Norihito Tanaka (19-7): WBC #4 / IBF #4 / WBO #6 / WBA #12 Tanaka won the Japanese title this past January, and defended it in June against Naoya Haruguchi (15-11). -Masataka Taniguchi (12-3): WBO #5 / WBC #10 Taniguchi defeated rising star Kai Ishizawa (6-1) in September. -Takumi Sakae (22-3): WBO #12 / IBF #13 / WBC #34 Sakae has fought thrice this year and has knocked out all of his opponents. -Tsubasa Koura (14-1): WBC #8 / IBF #14 The former OPBF champion was scheduled to face Silem Serang (15-20) on November 9th but the match was cancelled. By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Heavyweight: -Kyotaro Fujimoto (20-1): WBA #11 The former K-1 star and the reigning WBO Asia Pacific champion will rematch Suthat Kalalek (13-10) on October 21st. Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (15-2): WBA (Regular) World champion The 2012 Olympic champion got his revenge on Rob Brant (25-2) in Osaka, reclaiming his WBA title. Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (14-1): WBO #11 / IBF #15 Inoue made short work of Thai veteran Komsan Polsan (38-11) on August 3rd, to become the WBO Asia Pacific champion for the second time. Welterweight: -Keita Obara (21-4): IBF #8 After losing to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (16-0) earlier this year, Obara beat Indonesian journeyman Yosmar Kefi (9-12) in June. Super Lightweight: -Yusuke Konno (15-4): WBA #14 Konno stopped Baishanbo Nasiyiwula (15-3) in China to become the new WBA Asia champion. -Andy Hiraoka (14-0): IBF #14 The Japanese youngster earned the biggest win of his career, this past July, against former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo (31-9). Lightweight: -Masayoshi Nakatani (18-1): IBF #7 / WBC #12 Nakatani came up short against Teofimo Lopez (14-0), ending his undefeated streak. Super Featherweight: -Kenichi Ogawa (24-1): IBF #3 / WBO #11 The uncrowned IBF king returned to the ring earlier this year and has already amassed 2 victories. Ogawa will challenge Joe Noynay (18-2) for the WBO Asia Pacific championship, on December 7th, at the legendary Korakuen Hall. -Masaru Sueyoshi (19-1): WBO #4 Sueyoshi will meet Kosuke Saka (18-5), on November 2nd, for the 5th defense of his Japanese title. -Kazuhiro Nishitani (20-4): IBF #12 Nishitani has been 5-0 since 2016, knocking out every single one of his opponents. Featherweight: -Musashi Mori (9-0): WBO #9 Mori defended his WBO Asia Pacific title against the former champion Richard Pumicpic (21-10) this past April. He will take on Suntorn Panhom (5-4) on September 15th. -Hiroshige Osawa (35-5): WBA #1 / IBF #14 The former world title challenger is scheduled to fight Indonesian champion Jason Butar Butar (30-26) on October 1st. -Reiya Abe (19-2): IBF #6 / WBC #11 Abe will square off with Ryo Sagawa (7-1) for the vacant Japanese title, on September 13th. Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3): IBF #1 Iwasa won an IBF eliminator against Cesar Juarez (24-7) in February. Since Daniel Roman (27-2) is out with an injury, an interim IBF title fight could be made with Iwasa and Marlon Tapales (33-2). -Hiroaki Teshigawara (20-2): IBF #8 Teshigawara defended his OPBF championship against former world title challenger Shohei Omori (20-3) on August 8th. -Shingo Wake (26-5): WBC #2 / IBF #4 Wake has been on a 6 fight winning streak since losing to Jonathan Guzman (23-1) in 2016. -Yukinori Oguni (21-2): WBA #3 The former IBF World champion defeated Sukpraserd Ponpitak (24-10) in May. -Yusaku Kuga (18-3): WBC #11 Kuga became once again the Japanese champion after earning a unanimous decision over Ryoichi Tamura (12-4) a few months back. He will mark his inaugural title defense on September 21st against Yosuke Fujihara (18-6). -Tomoki Kameda (36-3): WBC #8 The former interim WBC champion came up short in his unification bout with Rey Vargas (34-0). Bantamweight -Naoya Inoue (18-0): IBF World champion Inoue is set to clash with the WBA Super & WBC Diamond champion Nonito Donaire (40-5) in the WBSS Bantamweight final, on November 7th. -Takuma Inoue (13-0): WBC Interim World champion Takuma will unify with Nordine Oubaali (16-0) on November 7th. -Keita Kurihara (14-5): IBF #9 / WBC #12 Kurihara defended his OPBF crown in May, after knocking out former world title challenger Warlito Parrenas (26-10). -Yuki Strong Kobayashi (15-8): IBF #12 / WBO #15 Kobayashi won the WBO Asia Pacific title, this past May, from Ben Mananquil (17-2). Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (24-2): WBO World champion. Ioka defeated Aston Palicte (25-3) in June to capture the vacant WBO strap and to become the 1st ever Japanese 4 division World champion. -Akira Yaegashi (28-6): WBO #7 / WBA #11 / WBC #13 The 3 division World champion has been undefeated as a Super Flyweight, with 3 consecutive TKO victories under his belt. His goal is to meet Jerwin Ancajas (31-1) for the IBF title, probably in November. -Sho Ishida (28-1): WBO #2 / WBA #3 / IBF #5 / WBC #9 Ishida has been 4-0 since losing to Khalid Yafai (26-0) in 2017. -Koki Eto (24-5): WBO #11 / IBF #7 Eto lost to Jeyvier Cintron (11-0) on August 2nd in a WBO eliminator. -Takayuki Okumoto (24-8): IBF #15 The Japanese champion made his 4th successful title defense on August 4th against Dynamic Kenji (11-4). Flyweight: -Kosei Tanaka (14-0): WBO World champion Tanaka defended against Jonathan Gonzalez (22-3) on August 24th. -Junto Nakatani (19-0): WBC #3 / WBO #4 / WBA #7 / IBF #11 Nakatani’s biggest fight yet will take place on October 5th, when he tests himself against the former IBF Light Flyweight World champion Milan Melindo (37-4). -Masayuki Kuroda (30-8): IBF #10 / WBC #14 Kuroda went to war with Moruti Mthalane (38-2) for the IBF World title, this past May, but couldn’t bring the belt back home. -Yusuke Sakashita (18-8): WBO #15 Sakashita stopped former world title contender Masahiro Sakamoto (13-3) to become the new WBO Asia Pacific champion. He will mark his first defense against Naoki Mochizuki (16-4), in a revenge match from 2016, on October 21st. Light Flyweight: -Hiroto Kyoguchi (13-0): WBA (Super) World champion. Kyoguchi successfully defended the WBA title this past June, against Muay Thai champion Tanawat Nakoon (11-1). His next opponent will be Tetsuya Hisada (34-9), whom he’ll face on October 1st in Japan. -Ken Shiro (16-0): WBC World champion. The unstoppable Ken Shiro made short work of Jonathan Taconing (28-4) in July, to mark his 6th title defense. -Tetsuya Hisada (34-9): WBA #1 / WBC #2 / WBO #3 / IBF #6 Hisada has been on an impressive 13 fight winning streak. His big opportunity finally has arrived as he challenges Hiroto Kyoguchi (13-0) for the WBA (Super) title, on October 1st. -Kenichi Horikawa (40-15): WBC #4 / IBF #5 Horikawa won the Japanese title earlier this year, for the second time in his career. He made his inaugural defense in May. -Reiya Konishi (17-2): IBF #8 Konishi didn’t manage to capture the IBF title from Felix Alvarado (35-2). -Sho Kimura (18-3): WBA #8 The former WBO Flyweight World champion lost a unanimous decision to Carlos Canizales (22-0) for the WBA (Regular) World title in China. Strawweight: -Norihito Tanaka (19-7): IBF #5 / WBO #6 / WBA #12 Tanaka won the Japanese title, this past January, and defended it in June against Naoya Haruguchi (15-11). -Masataka Taniguchi (11-3): WBO #7 / WBC #13 Taniguchi will face rising star Kai Ishizawa (6-0) on September 21st. -Takumi Sakae (21-3): IBF #13 Sakae will fight for the 3rd time this year, on September 23rd, against Stevanus Nana Bau (9-11). -Tsubasa Koura (14-1): WBC #8 / IBF #14 Koura surprisingly lost his OPBF title to Lito Dante (16-10) a few months ago. By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Heavyweight: -Kyotaro Fujimoto (20-1): WBA #11 The former K-1 star and reigning WBO Asia Pacific champion has vacated his Japanese & OPBF titles recently. Kyotaro is looking to secure a world title match in the near future. Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (15-2): WBA (Regular) World champion The 2012 Olympic champion got his revenge on Rob Brant (25-2) in Osaka, reclaiming his WBA title. Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (14-1): WBO #11 Inoue made short work of Thai veteran Komsan Polsan (38-11) on August 3rd, to become the WBO Asia Pacific champion for the second time. Welterweight: -Keita Obara (21-4): IBF #8 After losing to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (16-0) earlier this year, Obara beat Indonesian journeyman Yosmar Kefi (9-12) in June. Super Lightweight: -Yusuke Konno (15-4): WBA #15 Konno earned a huge win on March 30th when he stopped Baishanbo Nasiyiwula (15-3) in China to become the new WBA Asia champion. Lightweight: -Masayoshi Nakatani (18-1): IBF #7 / WBC #7 / WBO #14 Nakatani came up short against Teofimo Lopez (14-0), ending his undefeated streak. Super Featherweight: -Masaru Sueyoshi (19-1): WBO #3 Sueyoshi will meet Kosuke Saka (18-5), on September 2nd, for the 5th defense of his Japanese title. [Ed's note - This bout has been postponed due to Sueyoshi suffering an injury] -Kenichi Ogawa (24-1): IBF #3 / WBA #4 / WBO #11 The uncrowned IBF king returned to the ring earlier this year and has already amassed 2 victories. His next match has been scheduled for September 7th. (Opponent TBA) [Ed's note - This scheduled bout also appears to have been cancelled, though the reason is unclear] Featherweight: -Musashi Mori (9-0): WBO #9 Mori defended his WBO Asia Pacific title against the former champion Richard Pumicpic (21-10) this past April. -Hiroshige Osawa (35-5): WBA #1 / IBF #14 Osawa fought and beat Indonesian journeyman Ahmad Lahizab (4-8) on April 7th. -Reiya Abe (19-2): IBF #6 / WBC #10 Abe will square off with Ryo Sagawa (7-1) for the vacant Japanese title, on September 13th. Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3): IBF #1 Iwasa won an IBF title eliminator against Cesar Juarez (24-7) in February. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (19-2): IBF #8 Teshigawara will mark his second defense of the OPBF championship against former world title challenger Shohei Omori (20-2) on August 8th. -Shingo Wake (26-5): WBC #2 / IBF #4 / WBA #10 Wake has been on a 6 fight winning streak since losing to Jonathan Guzman (23-1) in 2016. -Yukinori Oguni (21-2): WBA #3 The former IBF World champion defeated Sukpraserd Ponpitak (22-10) on May 8. -Yusaku Kuga (18-3): WBC #10 Kuga became once again the Japanese champion after earning a unanimous decision over Ryoichi Tamura (12-4) on May 18th. Bantamweight -Naoya Inoue (18-0): IBF World champion Inoue is set to clash with the WBA Super & WBC Diamond champion Nonito Donaire (40-5) in the WBSS Bantamweight final, on November 7th. -Takuma Inoue (13-0): WBC Interim World champion Takuma is expected to unify with Nordine Oubaali (16-0) before the year is over. -Ryo Akaho (34-2): WBO #2 Akaho has been undefeated since 2016, amassing 8 wins. It’s worth noting that the former Japanese & OPBF champion is currently fighting at Featherweight. We aren’t 100% sure if this is a mistake by the WBO or he is intending to go down again at Bantamweight. He is scheduled to compete on October 5th. -Keita Kurihara (14-5): IBF #9 / WBC #12 Kurihara defended his OPBF crown in May, after knocking out former world title challenger Warlito Parrenas (21-10). -Yuki Strong Kobayashi (15-8): IBF #12 Kobayashi won the WBO Asia Pacific title, this past May, from Ben Mananquil (17-2). Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (24-2): WBO World champion. Ioka defeated Aston Palicte (25-3) in June to win the vacant WBO strap and to become the 1st ever Japanese 4 division World champion. -Akira Yaegashi (28-6): WBO #9 / WBA #12 / WBC #14 The 3 division World champion has been undefeated as a Super Flyweight, with 3 consecutive TKO victories under his belt. His next fight will probably be this coming November. -Sho Ishida (28-1): WBO #1 / IBF #5 / WBA #5 / WBC #10 Ishida has been 4-0 since losing to Khalid Yafai (26-0) in 2017. -Koki Eto (24-5): WBO #2 / WBA #3 / WBC #7 / IBF #7 Eto lost to Jeyvier Cintron (11-0) on August 2nd, in a WBO #1 contenders’ match. Flyweight: -Kosei Tanaka (13-0): WBO World champion Tanaka defends against Jonathan Gonzalez (22-2) on August 24th. -Junto Nakatani (19-0): WBC #3 / WBO #4 / WBA #7 / IBF #11 Nakatani’s biggest fight yet will take place on October 5th, when he tests himself against former IBF Light Flyweight World champion Milan Melindo (37-4). -Masayuki Kuroda (30-8): IBF #10 / WBC #13 Kuroda went to war with Moruti Mthalane (38-2) for the IBF World title, this past May, but couldn’t bring the belt back home. -Yusuke Sakashita (18-8): WBO #15 Sakashita stopped former world title contender Masahiro Sakamoto (13-3) to become the new WBO Asia Pacific champion. Light Flyweight: -Hiroto Kyoguchi (13-0): WBA World champion. Kyoguchi successfully defended the WBA title for the 1st time, this June, against Muay Thai champion Tanawat Nakoon (11-1). Tetsuya Hisada will be next. -Ken Shiro (16-0): WBC World champion. The unstoppable Ken Shiro made short work of Jonathan Taconing (28-4) on July 12th, to mark his 6th title defense. -Tetsuya Hisada (34-9): WBA #1 / WBO #3 / WBC #3 / IBF #6 Hisada has been on an impressive 13 fight winning streak. His big opportunity finally has arrived as he challenges Hiroto Kyoguchi (13-0) for the WBA (Super) title, on October 1st. -Kenichi Horikawa (40-15): WBC #5 / IBF #5 Horikawa won the Japanese title earlier this year, for the second time in his career. He made his inaugural defense in May and will mark his second one, on August 8th, against Ryuto Oho (12-5). -Reiya Konishi (17-2): IBF #8 Konishi didn’t manage to capture the IBF title from Felix Alvarado (35-2). -Sho Kimura (18-3): WBA #8 The former WBO Flyweight World champion lost a unanimous decision to Carlos Canizales (22-0) for the WBA (Regular) World title in China. Strawweight: -Norihito Tanaka (19-7): IBF #5 / WBO #6 / WBA #12 Tanaka won the Japanese title, this past January, and defended it on June 13 against Naoya Haruguchi (15-11). -Masataka Taniguchi (11-3): WBO #7 Taniguchi will face rising star Kai Ishizawa (6-0) on September 21st. -Tsubasa Koura (14-1): WBC #10 / IBF #14 Koura surprisingly lost his OPBF title to Lito Dante (16-10) a few months ago. By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Strawweight: -Norihito Tanaka (18-7): IBF #6 / WBC #7 / WBO #10 / WBA #13 Tanaka won the Japanese title, this past January, and will defend it on June 13 against Naoya Haruguchi (15-10). -Tatsuya Fukuhara (21-7): WBC #4 The former World champion came up short at his second shot against Chayaphon Moonsri (53-0) for the WBC title on May 31st. -Masataka Taniguchi (11-3): WBO #7 Taniguchi unsuccessfully challenged the WBO World champion Vic Saludar (19-3) this past February. Light Flyweight: -Tetsuya Hisada (34-9): WBA #1 / WBO #1 / WBC #3 / IBF #7 Hisada is rumored to be challenging Angel Acosta (19-1) for the WBO title, potentially this Summer. -Kenichi Horikawa (40-18): WBC #5 / IBF #6 Horikawa won the Japanese title, on February 14, for the second time in his career. He made his inaugural defense on May 19 against Masashi Tada (13-6). -Ryoichi Taguchi (27-4): WBC #6 The former WBA & IBF champion failed to win the World championship against the WBO title holder Kosei Tanaka (13-0) on March 16. -Reiya Konishi (17-2): IBF #8 Konishi didn’t manage to capture the IBF title from Felix Alvarado (35-2) when they clashed in Japan. -Sho Kimura (18-3): WBA #8 The former WBO Flyweight World champion lost a unanimous decision to Carlos Canizales (22-0) for the WBA (Regular) World title, this May, in China. Flyweight: -Junto Nakatani (19-0): WBC #3 / WBO #4 / IBF #11 / WBA #14 Nakatani stopped Naoki Mochizuki (15-4) in February, for the vacant Japanese crown and scored a stay busy win on June 1st, against Philip Luis Cuerdo (11-7). -Masayuki Kuroda (30-8): IBF #10 Kuroda went to war with Moruti Mthalane (38-2) for the IBF World title, on May 13, but couldn’t bring the belt back home. Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (23-2): WBO #2 The 3 division world champion will meet Aston Palicte (25-2) at the Makuhari Messe arena in Japan, for the vacant WBO World championship. -Akira Yaegashi (28-6): WBA #10 / WBO #10 / WBC #14 Yaegashi moved up to Super Flyweight in 2018 and has since been undefeated in the division with 3 consecutive TKO victories. He finally makes it back into the world rankings as he aims to become a 4 division champion. -Koki Eto (24-4): WBO #4 / WBA #7 / IBF #8 Eto’s KO win over Jeyvier Cintron (10-0) on May 25th for the WBO International title got overturned, due to an accidental headbutt. -Sho Ishida (28-1): WBO #3 / IBF #5 / WBA #6 / WBC #10 Since losing to Khalid Yafai (25-0) in 2017, Ishida has earned 4 victories over the likes of Ratchanon Sawangsoda (12-3), Richard Claveras (18-6), world title contender Warlito Parrenas (26-10) as well as Ikuro Sadatsune (9-4). Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3): IBF #1 Iwasa won an IBF title eliminator against Cesar Juarez (23-7), on February 16. -Shingo Wake (26-5): WBC #2 / IBF #3 The former Japanese & OPBF champion has been on a 6 fight winning streak since losing to Jonathan Guzman (23-1) in 2016. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (19-2): IBF #9 / WBO #15 Teshigawara made his Super Bantamweight debut last year, stopping Glenn Suminguit (21-4) to win the OPBF championship. He marked his first successful title defense on February 14, against Yuki Iriguchi (10-3). -Yukinori Oguni (20-2): WBA #4 The former IBF World champion defeated Sukpraserd Ponpitak (22-10) on May 8. Featherweight: -Satoshi Shimizu (8-0): IBF #9 The 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist won the OPBF title back in 2017 and has successfully defended it 4 times. He will now challenge the WBO Asia Pacific Super Featherweight champion Joe Noynay (17-2) on July 12. -Musashi Mori (9-0): WBO #9 Mori defended his WBO Asia Pacific title against the former champion Richard Pumicpic (21-10) on April 14. -Hiroshige Osawa (35-5): WBA #1 / IBF #13 The former OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion finds himself once again in the world rankings, since losing to WBO World champion Oscar Valdez (24-0) in 2016. He fought Indonesian journeyman Ahmad Lahizab (4-8) on April 7. -Reiya Abe (19-2): IBF #5 / WBC #13 Abe fought the Japanese champion Taiki Minamoto (16-5), on May 1st, to a draw. Super Featherweight: -Masaru Sueyoshi (19-1): WBO #3 Sueyoshi defended his Japanese championship for the 4th time, against Ken Osato (15-3), on May 4th. -Kenichi Ogawa (23-1): IBF #4 The former Japanese champion returned to ring, after his one year suspension, and defeated Roldan Aldea (12-7) this past February. Ogawa will face the undefeated IBF Intercontinental champion Azinga Fuzile (14-0) in an IBF world title eliminator, on July 6, at the Korakuen Hall in Japan. Lightweight: -Masayoshi Nakatani (18-0): IBF #3 / WBC #8 / WBO #10 Nakatani marked his 11th successful OPBF title defense this past December, by stopping former WBC International champion Hurricane Futa (25-8). He takes on Teofimo Lopez (13-0), on July 6, for a future shot at the IBF World championship. -Nihito Arakawa (32-7): WBO #8 The former Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion failed to obtain the WBO International title from Denys Berinchyk (11-0) on April 20. Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (13-1): WBO #9 The former Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion unsuccessfully challenged Jaime Munguia (32-0) for the WBO World title this January. He is scheduled to return to the ring on August 3rd. Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (14-2): WBA #4 The 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist will get his chance for revenge on July 12 as he goes up against Rob Brant (25-1) in Osaka for the WBA (Regular) World championship. Heavyweight: -Kyotaro Fujimoto (20-1): WBO #9 / WBA #12 The former K-1 champion has unified the Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific Heavyweight titles. He is now looking for a World championship fight before he retires from the sport. (Image courtesy of boxingnews.jp) By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Strawweight: -Tatsuya Fukuhara (21-6): WBC #4 The former World champion will get another shot at Chayaphon Moonsri (52-0) and the WBC title, May 31st in Thailand. -Masataka Taniguchi (11-3): WBO #6 Taniguchi defeated Joel Lino (10-1), back in November, for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title. He unsuccessfully challenged Vic Saludar (19-3) on February 26 for the WBO World title. - Norihito Tanaka (18-7): WBC #7 / IBF #9 / WBO #9 / WBA #13 Tanaka won the Japanese title, this past January, and will defend it on June 13 against Naoya Haruguchi (15-10). Light Flyweight: -Sho Kimura (18-2): WBA #2 The former WBO Flyweight World champion dominated Thai veteran Wicha Phulaikhao (60-11) on March 30. In a surprising move, Kimura decided to move to the Light Flyweight division and he will now challenge Carlos Canizales (21-0) for the WBA (Regular) World championship on May 26, in the country he became famous China. -Reiya Konishi (17-1): IBF #3 / WBC #6 The WBO Asia Pacific champion will clash with Felix Alvarado (34-2) for the IBF World title, on May 19. -Tetsuya Hisada (34-9): WBA #1 / WBO #1 / WBC #3 / IBF #8 Hisada is rumored to be challenging Angel Acosta (19-1) for the WBO title, potentially this Summer. -Kenichi Horikawa (39-18): WBC #5 / IBF #7 Horikawa won Japanese title, on February 14, for the second time in his career. He will make his inaugural defense on May 19 against Masashi Tada (13-5). Flyweight: -Masayuki Kuroda (30-7): IBF #4 Kuroda, who is currently on a 6 fight winning streak, will meet Moruti Mthalane (37-2) for the IBF World title on May 13. -Junto Nakatani (18-0): WBO #3 / WBC #3 / IBF #12 / WBA #15 Nakatani stopped Naoki Mochizuki (15-4), on February 2nd, for the vacant Japanese crown. He will mark his first defense against Wolf Nakano (6-7) on June 1st. Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (23-2): WBO #2 / WBC #4 The 3 division world champion will meet Aston Palicte (25-2) at the Makuhari Messe arena in Japan, for the vacant WBO World championship. -Akira Yaegashi (28-6): WBA #9 / WBO #10 Yaegashi moved up to Super Flyweight in 2018 and has since been undefeated in the division with 3 consecutive TKO victories. He finally makes it back in the world rankings as he aims to become a 4 division champion. -Koki Eto (24-4): WBO #4 / WBA #7 / IBF #8 / WBC #9 Eto’s getting closer to the world title again as he faces Jeyvier Cintron (10-0) on May 25th for the right to challenge the winner of Ioka/Palicte. -Sho Ishida (28-1): WBO #3 / IBF #5 / WBA #6 / WBC #11 Since losing to Khalid Yafai (25-0) in 2017, Ishida has earned 4 victories over the likes of Ratchanon Sawangsoda (12-3), Richard Claveras (18-6), world title contender Warlito Parrenas (26-9) as well as Ikuro Sadatsune (9-4). Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3): IBF #1 Iwasa won an IBF title eliminator against Cesar Juarez (23-7), on February 16. -Shingo Wake (26-5): WBC #2 / IBF #3 The former Japanese & OPBF champion has been on a 6 fight winning streak since losing to Jonathan Guzman (23-1) in 2016. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (19-2): IBF #9 / WBO #15 Teshigawara made his Super Bantamweight debut last year, stopping Glenn Suminguit (21-4) to win the OPBF championship. He marked his first successful title defense on February 14, against Yuki Iriguchi (10-3). -Yukinori Oguni (20-2): WBA #4 The former IBF World champion will compete on May 8, in Japan, as he takes on Sukpraserd Ponpitak (22-9). Featherweight: -Shun Kubo (13-1): WBA #10 The former WBA Super Bantamweight World champion moved up a weight class last year, defeating Hiroshige Osawa on his Featherweight debut. He will now get the opportunity to challenge Can Xu (16-2), in China, for the WBA (Regular) World title on May 26. -Satoshi Shimizu (8-0): IBF #3 The 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist has made 3 successful title defenses of the OPBF crown in 2018, against Kyung Min Kwon (6-5), Shingo Kawamura (16-5) and Takuya Uehara (16-1). -Hiroshige Osawa (35-5): WBA #1 / IBF #13 The former OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion finds himself once again in the world rankings, since losing to WBO World champion Oscar Valdez (24-0) in 2016. He fought Indonesian journeyman Ahmad Lahizab (4-8) on April 7. -Reiya Abe (19-2): IBF #4 / WBC #9 Abe fought the Japanese champion Taiki Minamoto (16-5), on May 1st, to a draw. Super Featherweight: -Masaru Sueyoshi (19-1): WBO #3 Sueyoshi defended his Japanese championship for the 4th time, against Ken Osato (15-3), on May 4th. -Kenichi Ogawa (23-1): IBF #4 The former Japanese champion returned to ring, after his one year suspension, and defeated Roldan Aldea (12-7) on February 2nd. Ogawa is expected to face the undefeated IBF Intercontinental champion Azinga Fuzile (14-0) in an IBF world title eliminator. Lightweight: -Masayoshi Nakatani (18-0): IBF #3 / WBC #8 / WBO #12 Nakatani marked his 11th successful OPBF title defense this past December, by stopping former WBC International champion Hurricane Futa (25-8). He takes on Teofimo Lopez (13-0), on July 19, for a future shot at the IBF World championship. -Nihito Arakawa (32-7): WBO #8 The former Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion failed to obtain the WBO International title from Denys Berinchyk (11-0) on April 20. Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (13-1): WBO #9 The former Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion unsuccessfully challenged Jaime Munguia (32-0) for the WBO World title this January. He is scheduled to return to the ring on August 3rd. Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (14-2): WBA #3 / WBC #5 / WBO #9 The 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist will get his chance for revenge on July 12 as he goes up against Rob Brant (25-1) in Osaka for the WBA (Regular) World championship. Heavyweight: -Kyotaro Fujimoto (20-1): WBO #10 / WBA #11 The former K-1 champion has unified the Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific Heavyweight titles. He is now looking for a World championship fight before he retires from the sport. By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Strawweight: -Tatsuya Fukuhara (21-6): WBC #6 The former World champion will get another shot at Chayaphon Moonsri (52-0) and the WBC title, on March 29, in Thailand. -Tsubasa Koura (14-0): WBC #3 / WBA #8 / WBO #10 / IBF #11 Koura has been the OPBF champion since 2017 and has marked 3 successful title defenses. His next one will take place on March 31st, against Lito Dante (15-10). -Masataka Taniguchi (11-3): WBO #2 Taniguchi defeated Joel Lino (10-1), back in November, for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title. He unsuccessfully challenged Vic Saludar (19-3) on February 26 for the WBO World title. - Norihito Tanaka (18-7): WBC #10 / IBF #12 / WBA #13 Tanaka won the Japanese title, this past January, for the first time in his career. -Shin Ono (23-10): WBO #4 Ono lost his Japanese title to Norihito Tanaka (18-7) on January 12. Light Flyweight: -Tetsuya Hisada (33-9): WBA #1 / WBO #2 / WBC #2 / IBF #9 After recording a 5th successful Japanese title defense in November, before vacating the belt, Hisada is now rumored to fight Carlos Canizales (21-0) for the WBA (Regular) World championship. -Reiya Konishi (17-1): WBA #3 / IBF #3 / WBO #4 / WBC #5 The WBO Asia Pacific champion will clash with Felix Alvarado (34-2) for the IBF World title, either in April or May. Kenichi Horikawa (39-18): WBC #6 Horikawa ended 2018 with a 4-0 record. He beat Satoru Todaka (9-3) on February 14, to win the Japanese title for the second time in his career. Flyweight: -Ryoichi Taguchi (27-3): WBO #4 The former IBF & WBA Light Flyweight World champion is moving up a weight class to challenge Kosei Tanaka (12-0), for the WBO strap, on March 16. -Junto Nakatani (18-0): WBC #4 / WBO #9 / IBF #13 / WBA #14 The unstoppable Japanese prospect has fought 4 times in 2018 and has won all of his bouts, 2 of them via KO. He finally won his first championship, when he stopped Naoki Mochizuki (15-4), on February 2nd, for the vacant Japanese crown. -Masayuki Kuroda (30-7): WBO #3 / IBF #4 Kuroda, who is currently on a 6 fight winning streak, will meet Moruti Mthalane (37-2) for the IBF World title on May 13. -Sho Kimura (17-2): WBO #6 The former WBO World champion lost his title to Kosei Tanaka (12-0) this past September, in a FOTY candidate. He will now go up against Thai veteran Wicha Phulaikhao (60-10) for the vacant OPBF Silver title, on March 30. Super Flyweight: -Ryuichi Funai (31-7): IBF #1 / WBO #3 / WBC #11 The former Japanese & WBO Asia Pacific champion will challenge Jerwin Ancajas (30-1) for the IBF World title, either on April 12 or April 20. -Sho Ishida (27-1): IBF #5/ WBO #5 / WBA #7 / WBC #11 Since losing to the WBA world champion Khalid Yafai (25-0) in 2017, Ishida has won all of his 2018 bouts, against Ratchanon Sawangsoda (12-3), Richard Claveras (18-6), as well as former world title contender Warlito Parrenas (26-9). -Kazuto Ioka (23-2): WBC #3 / WBO #4 Ioka debuted at the Super Flyweight division this past September, defeating McWilliams Arroyo (17-4) to become the WBC Silver champion. In December, he fought Donnie Nietes (42-1), for the vacant WBO World title, losing a very close decision. He is rumored to be facing Aston Palicte (25-2) for the same championship again. -Koki Eto (24-4): WBO #6 / WBC #7 / WBA #8 / IBF #9 The former interim WBA Flyweight World champion has been on a 7 fight winning streak, since losing to Carlos Cuadras (37-3) in 2015. -Daigo Higa (15-1): WBA #6 The former WBC Flyweight World champion is expected to make his return to the ring in 2019. Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3): IBF #1 Iwasa won an IBF title eliminator against Cesar Juarez (23-7), on February 16. He now has the opportunity to challenge TJ Doheny (21-0) and to reclaim his World championship. -Shingo Wake (26-5): IBF #3 / WBC #4 The former Japanese & OPBF champion has been on a 6 fight winning streak since losing to Jonathan Guzman (23-1) in 2016. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (19-2): IBF #9 Teshigawara made his Super Bantamweight debut last year, stopping Glenn Suminguit (21-4) to win the OPBF championship. He marked his first successful title defense on February 14, against Yuki Iriguchi (10-3). -Yukinori Oguni (20-2): WBA #4 After losing his World title in 2017, Oguni has picked only one victory in 2018. He’s scheduled to fight on May 8. (Opponent TBA) Featherweight: -Satoshi Shimizu (8-0): IBF #3 [Pictured] The 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist has made 3 successful title defenses of the OPBF crown in 2018, against Kyung Min Kwon (6-5), Shingo Kawamura (16-5) and Takuya Uehara (16-1). -Hiroshige Osawa (34-5): WBA #5 / IBF #13 The former OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion finds himself once again in the world rankings, since losing to WBO World champion Oscar Valdez (24-0) in 2016. -Reiya Abe (19-2): IBF #4 / WBC #13 Abe is the number 1 contender for Taiki Minamoto’s (16-5) Japanese title. These 2 men will collide at the 2019 Champion Carnival, on May 1st. Super Featherweight: -Masaru Sueyoshi (18-1): WBO #4 Sueyoshi will defend his Japanese championship, for a fourth time, against Ken Osato (15-2), on May 4th. -Kenichi Ogawa (23-1): IBF #5 The former Japanese champion returned to ring, after his one year suspension, to defeat Roldan Aldea (12-7) on February 2nd. Lightweight: -Masayoshi Nakatani (18-0): IBF #3 / WBC #9 / WBO #10 Nakatani marked his 11th successful OPBF title defense in December, when he stopped the former WBC International champion Hurricane Futa (25-8) in round 6. He is rumored to face former EBU European & WBA Intercontinental champion Edis Tatli (31-2) in an IBF world title eliminator. -Nihito Arakawa (31-6): WBO #7 The former Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion is looking for his second world title opportunity in 2019. Super Lightweight: -Hiroki Okada (19-1): WBC #10 The formerly undefeated Japanese & WBO Asia Pacific champion lost to Raymundo Beltran (36-8), on February 10, in the States. Welterweight -Keita Obara (20-3): IBF #5 / WBO #15 The 2 time WBO Asia Pacific champion will face the undefeated former WBC Silver champion Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (15-0), on March 30, in an IBF world title eliminator. Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (14-2): WBC #4 / WBA #6 / IBF #6 The 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist lost his WBA (Regular) World title to Rob Brant (25-1) this past October. Rumor has it that he will return to the ring this May in Japan. Heavyweight: -Kyotaro Fujimoto (20-1): WBO #8 / WBA #10 The former K-1 champion has unified the Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific Heavyweight titles. By Marcus Bellinger (@marcusknockout) Japanese professional boxing is in a great place right now when some truly elite fighters and a plethora of outstanding youngsters racing through the ranks at a lightning pace. The country is hosting the 2020 Olympics but boxing’s place is yet to be confirmed due to a dispute between governing body AIBA and the IOC. Japan has never been a traditional powerhouse in amateur boxing but has had plenty of success at the youth and junior levels. Here are a small selection of boxers from the land of the rising sun who could either feature in Tokyo, or more likely in the professional ranks in the years to come. Hayato Tsutsumi, bantamweight, (56kg). The next potential superstar from Japan, Tsutsumi ruled the roost at the youth level and has made a solid start in the elite level. He’s had plenty of success domestically winning various tournaments. 2016 was a banner year as Tsutsumi claimed flyweight golds at the Asian and World Youth Championships before repeating the success up at bantamweight at the 2017 Asian Youth Championships. His move to the senior ranks saw him win the national title in 2017 and reach the last 4 in 2018 but elimination in the first contest of the 2018 Asian Games will have been a disappointment but should be seen as a valuable learning experience. If boxing doesn’t take place in Tokyo, expect promoters to be queueing round the block to sign up Tsutsumi. You can view the final of the 2017 national Championships involving Tsutsumi below. (Ed's note - The fight below is against highly regarded Teiken prospect Mikito Nakano, now 2-0 (2) in the professional ranks) Sora Tanaka, light welterweight, (64kg). Blessed with an exciting style and punching power, Tanaka won gold at the Asian Junior Championships in 2017. After winning Bronze at the 2018 Asian Youth Championships, Tanaka didn’t fare as well at the world Youth’s, going out in his first bout. An excellent performer at home, the teenager is definitely one for the future whether that’s as an amateur or a professional. Tanaka’s bout from the 2018 World Youth Championships can be seen below Ryutaro Nakagaki, flyweight, (52kg). Nakagaki’s first success away from home came in 2015 when he topped the podium at the Asian Junior Championships. His best result to date saw him take Asian Youth gold in 2017 as he prevailed over top notch Uzbek Abdumalik Khalokov in the final. Nakagaki’s 2 outings at the Japanese nationals saw him reach the last 4 in 2017 and the last 8 in 2018 and there is plenty to build on for the gifted youngster. You can take a look at a bout from 2015 involving Nakagaki below. Sho Usami, welterweight, (69kg). 2018 saw Usami reach the quarter-finals of the Asian Youth Championships before going one better at the World Youth Championships in Hungary, coming away with a credible Bronze medal. A shot at the national crown last year saw him lose in his opening bout but again he should only improve given the right coaching and appearances at international tournaments. You can watch Usami’s semi-final contest at the World Youth Championships below Finally it’s not just Hayato who has the boxing bug in the family as younger brothers Ryonosuke and Reito Tsutsumi have shown plenty of promise. Ryonosuke reached the last 8 at the 2018 World Youth Championships after grabbing Bronze at the Asian Youth Championships, losing out on both occasions to the outstanding Atichai Phoemsap. Reito’s most notable triumph so far saw him earn lightweight gold at the 2017 Asian Junior Championships. Footage of both Tsutsumi’s in action can be viewed below.
|
FeaturesWhen we have some free time we're hoping to add a series of fun articles to the site. Hopefully these will be enjoyable little short features Archives
March 2022
Categories
All
|