
Sadly though it wasn't the news of who Hinata Maruta (3-0, 2) [丸田 陽七太] will be defending his WBC Youth Bantamweight title against. Instead it was the announcement of a some of under-card bouts, including one between former world title challengers, and one involving two JBC and OPBF ranke fighters
The more intriguing of the two bouts is a 12 rounder that will see the once touted Hirofumi Mukai (12-4-3, 2) [向井 寛史] face recent world title challenger Inthanon Sithchamuang (30-8-1, 18) [อินทนนท์ ศิษย์ชะมวง].
Whilst Mukai has failed to reach the heights expected for him, hopes that were boosted after early career wins over wins Jin Man Keon and Sonny Boy Jaro, he is still a very solid and technical boxer who has beaten the likes of Mark John Yap and Konosuke Tomiyama in recent years. He has also fought in two world title bouts, facing Pongsaklek Wonjongkam and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
As for Inthanon, who is listed on boxrec under his birth name of Tanawat Phonnaku, his career includes a world title bout this uear, when he lost a wide decision to Kohei Kono but impressed with his reseilliency. Although that bout will likely be the crowning glory of his career he has also faced IBF champion JErwin Ancajas and former world title challenger Rocky Fuentes.
The other notable bout, also scheduled for 12 rounds according to our source, will see the unbeaten Masahiro Sakamoto (8-0, 4) [坂本 真宏] take on the once beaten Sho Kimura (12-1-2, 6) [木村 翔]. This really is a step up in class for Sakamoto, a graduate from the Osaka city Univercity and very well educated young man, whilst Kimura will be attempting to atend a 14 fight unbeaten run. The bout will likely see the winner pushed to a title fight of some sort in 2017 and is a really excitingly matched bout.
One other intriguing bout will see Japanese novice Naoto Iwai (2-0, 1) [岩井 尚斗] battle Filipino veteran Donny Mabao (22-27-3, 4) in a Super Flyweight bout over 6 rounds.
We're hoping to see Maruta's opponent named soon but it must be said that the card is strong one with other co-feature bouts being Takayuki Hosokawa (28-10-5, 9) [細川 貴之] defending the OPBF Light Welterweight title Yutaka Oishi (13-5, 7) [大石 豊] and Koki Tyson (10-2-2, 10) [太尊 康輝] challenging OPBF Middleweight champion Dwight Ritchie (14-0-0-4, 1).