Category: Naoko Shibata

Tada over-comes Shibata in bout between former world champions!

11/10/2017

Early today Japanese fight fans at the Korakuen hall saw a WBO Asia Pacific Female Light Flyweight title bout, as former world champions Naoko Shibata (17-5-1, 6) [柴田直子] and Etsuko Tada (17-3-2, 5) [多田悦子] faced off, in what would be the second meeting between these two fighters.

The first bout between the two women saw Tada come out on top with a close but unanimous decision back in 2012, in which she retained her WBA Minimumweight title. Back then Tada was an unbeaten world champion, whilst Shibata was a fighter chasing a world title, after a short reign as an OPBF champion. This time however both fighters were former champions, seeking a big win to keep them in the title mix.

Today it was Tada again getting her hand raised in victory, but this time around the bout wasn't close. Instead Tada ran away with it, claiming victory with scores of 78-74, 77-75 and 80-72. Through the bout Tada showed better skills, better speed and a better understanding of the ring, she countered when she wanted, came forward when she wanted and controlled the bout, which was action packed but clearly saw Tada in control.

After the win Tada declared to the fans that she was going to pursue another world title, and it seems clear that she's still got enough in the tank to challenge for a world title in the near future. As for Shibata the end may well be near.

(Image courtesy of boxmob.jp)

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Masayuki Kuroda to defend title against Mako Matsuyama!

9/2/2017

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It's fair to say that Masayuki Kuroda (27-7-3, 15) [黒田雅之] has turned his career around in the last 12 months, or so, by stringing together 3 wins in a row and ressurecting a career that looked like it was dwindling down. Those wins have seen him claims the "interim" Japanese Flyweight title, and unify it with the regular title as he's become a 2-weight Japanese champion and got himself back into the mix for a second world title fight.

Over the weekend saw news break of Kuroda's first defense of the Japanese Flyweight title, and it will see him return to the ring on November 10th to take on the limited but excited Mako Matsuyama (8-12-2, 3) [松山真虎] in what should be a barn burning contest.

At his best Kuroda is a fringe world class fighter, but in recent years he has struggled and prior to his current 3 fight winning streak he had gone 3-4-3, showing just how inconsistent he had been at the time, with the fighter struggling to find his groove, and really looking like a man who had sene better days. Last time out however he scared a career defining win over Takuya Kogawa to unify the interim and regular Japanese titles and it's fair to say he won't be in a hurry to lose to belt.

Matsuyama is himself totally out of form with just a wince win in his last 7 bout, though he has been in some really tear ups with his 2014 contest against Rex Tso in Macao being a breath taking thriller. Despite his limitations he's a gutsy fighter who puts on a show and should make for an exciting action fight with Kuroda, even if he does seem almost certain to come up short.

Notable this bout will feature on a card which will be headlined by Takeshi Inoue (11-0-1, 6) [井上岳志] challenging OPBF Light Middleweight champion Ratchasi Sithsaithong (9-3, 7) and will also feature a female title bout between Naoko Shibata (17-4-1, 6) [柴田直子] and Etsuko Tada (16-3-2, 5) [多田悦子] making this a very interesting card on paper.

(Image courtesy of boxmob.jp)

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Naoko Shibata beats Thai, sets up rematch with Etsuko Tada!

9/1/2017

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Earlier today Japanese fight fans at the Korakuen Hall saw former IBF female Light Flyweight champion Naoko Shibata (17-4-1, 6) [柴田直子] return to the ring for the first time since losing her title to Alondra Garcia back in March.

The talented Japanese veteran was taking part in a bout to shake off some ring rust, as she took on limited Thai foe Shisa Manopgym (0-3).

Shibata showed her class almost immediately and after getting her jab going it was just a matter of time, with the Thai needing to be saved mid-way through round 2, as Shibata let her shots go at will.

After the win it was announced that Shibata would be returning to he ring to take on former champion Etsuko Tada (16-3-2, 5) [多田悦子] on November 10th, in what will be a second meeting between the two women, who willtrade blows for the WBO Asia Pacifc female Light Flyweight title.

The two fighters faced off in September 2012, when Tada took a razor thin decision over Shibata, and it's fair to say that Shibata will be after recenve as both fighters look to secure another world title fight, in what should be an all action match up.

It's worth noting that on that November 10th card their will be a Japanese and OPBF title unification bout at 154lbs, as Japanese champion Takeshi Inoue (11-0-1, 6) [井上岳志] takes on Ratchasi Sithsaithong (9-3, 7).

(Image courtesy of boxmob.jp)

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Shibata and Garcia make weight for title clash!

3/4/2017

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Later today fight fans will be able to see IBF female Light Flyweight champion Naoko Shibata (16-3-1, 5) [柴田直子] defending her title against Mexican youngster Alondra Garcia (16-3-1, 1), the woman she originally beat for the belt.

Yesterday the two fighters took part in their wiegh in and both made the 108lbs Flyweight limit with room to spare.

On the scales the champion was the heavier fighter, coming in 107½lbs. The weight is one that has been her typical weight in recent times, and she weighed the same in her first bout with Garcia as well as in recent defences against Saemi Hanagata and Maria Salinas, both of which were majority decision wins for the champion.

Garcia on the other hand came in very light, weighing 105¾lbs, which is the second lightest recorded weight in her career, less than 1lb heavier than her lightest which came back in August 2014 against Victoria Argueta for a Minimumweight title. Amazingly the weight is more than 10lbs lighter than she was last time out, when she fought for a female Bantamweight title. Although more than 2lbs under the limit she looked in good shape and seemed confident of avenging her loss to Shibata and claiming her first world title.

Related-
Shibata and Garcia face off in rematch for IBF crown!

(Image courtesy of boxmob.jp)

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Shibata and Garcia take part in press conference!

3/3/2017

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On Saturday fight fans will be able to see IBF female Light Flyweight champion Naoko Shibata (16-3-1, 5) [柴田直子] battle in a rematch with Mexican fighter Alondra Garcia (16-3-1, 1), with Shibata fighting outside of Japan for the first time in her career.

Yesterday the two women took part in a public press conference to talk about their upcoming contest, and both fighters sounded incredible confident of picking up the win.

For Garcia the belief seemed to be that she felt she won the first bout between the two fighters, which in November 2013 and saw Shibata take a unanimous decision for the title, and had been robbed on the score cards. She seems to be holding on the belief that she's the better fighter and will avenge that loss.

For Shibata the view is that she's the better fight, and is honored to be fighting in Mexico as a champion, having faced numerous Mexicans during her career.

Related-
Shibata and Garcia face off in rematch for IBF crown!

(Image courtesy of boxmob.jp

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News! We try and give you the most interesting news stories from the Asian boxing world!

Tada over-comes Shibata in bout between former world champions!

Masayuki Kuroda to defend title against Mako Matsuyama!

Naoko Shibata beats Thai, sets up rematch with Etsuko Tada!

Shibata and Garcia make weight for title clash!

Shibata and Garcia take part in press conference!

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