A month ago we reported that the sensational Naoko Fujioka (11-0, 6) would be returning to the ring on July 7th. At the time we were unsure who she would be fighting though we were aware it would be the first defence of her WBA female Super Flyweight title.
Today saw Fujioka's opponent for that bout being named as the once beaten OPBF champion Tomoko Kawanishi (9-1, 4) who is a very suitable opponent for the 38 year old champion.
Kawanishi isn't as established as Fujioka, though few women in this sport are, though she is a highly ranked foe who boxrec list at #9 in the world and who already holds 2 defences of the OPBF title. At 27 years old Kawanishi also posses an 11 year "youth" advantage over the champion.
Unfortunately for the challenger she has never fought anyone in the same league as Fujioka who really is one of the truly elite female fighters. Sure Fujioka will be just weeks away from turning 39 when this fight goes ahead but she's still a fighter who appears a lot, lot younger than her actual age. With that in mind it's going to take a very brave person to back Kawanishi here against the genuinely superb Fujioka.
(Image, of Fujioka, thanks to http://box-fitness-gym.com/)
Today saw Fujioka's opponent for that bout being named as the once beaten OPBF champion Tomoko Kawanishi (9-1, 4) who is a very suitable opponent for the 38 year old champion.
Kawanishi isn't as established as Fujioka, though few women in this sport are, though she is a highly ranked foe who boxrec list at #9 in the world and who already holds 2 defences of the OPBF title. At 27 years old Kawanishi also posses an 11 year "youth" advantage over the champion.
Unfortunately for the challenger she has never fought anyone in the same league as Fujioka who really is one of the truly elite female fighters. Sure Fujioka will be just weeks away from turning 39 when this fight goes ahead but she's still a fighter who appears a lot, lot younger than her actual age. With that in mind it's going to take a very brave person to back Kawanishi here against the genuinely superb Fujioka.
(Image, of Fujioka, thanks to http://box-fitness-gym.com/)
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