
The bout, a non-title contest arranged for 8 rounds, will be the main event in a show at the Sumiyoshi Ward Center in Osaka giving Maebara, an Osaka native, home advantage. That advantage could be key here given that Petchsuriya is 1-3 in Japan, though he did score a notable defense of his title in Japan earlier this year, defeating Ryosuke Maruki.
Maebara is a 21 year old Middleweight who won the Rookie of the Year last year and and is being viewed as a potential Japanese national champion. Stood at over 6" he's a tall and powerful Middleweight with real promise. As for Petchsuriya he is actually world ranked, #25 WBC, and although his record is disappointing in terms of wins and losses he is on a great run of 7 straight wins and appears to be coming into his own. At the time of writing Petchsuriya is 21, though by fight night he'll have turned 22.
We know this isn't a major bout for fans in the west but we're expecting an explosive encounter between two young fighters both looking to make a name for themselves. That could result in something a little bit special in the ring.
(Image, of Maebara and his gym's chairman, courtesy of boxingnews.jp)