What's to come in June...Part 1

After a truly hectic May, which has had big fights littered through the month, we drop back to reality in June as the schedule almost tails off completely and we sort of struggle to get too excited about too much taking place over the coming weeks. Thankfully here there is still enough to talk about without feeling the month is threadbare, but it's less about big fights, and more about emerging fighters.
 
June 1st-

• Junto Nakatani (18-0, 13) Vs Philip Luis Cuerdo (11-6-1, 4) - Tokyo, Japan

When we mentioned that June would be a month for emerging fighters, rather than big fights, one of the names that really stands out as an emerging hopeful is Junto Nakatani, the Japanese Flyweight champion. Nakatani is a genuine talent and had planned to defend his title at the start of June, but original opponent Wolf Nakano was forced to pull out. Nakano's replacement is Philip Luis Cuerdo who looks likely to be a better test for the now world ranked Japanese youngster, and this should be a solid match up for Nakatani.
 

• Kai Ishizawa (5-0, 5) vs Silem Serang (13-19-2, 1) - Tokyo, Japan

Another emerging Japanese hopeful looking to kick off the month with a win over a visitor is hard hitting Minimumweight Kai Ishizawa. The unbeaten Ishizawa isn't a technical fighter but is exciting, heavy handed and applies a lot of pressure. His opponent isn't expected to put up much of a test, but Serang could pose a few questions before eventually being worn down by Ishizawa's power and pressure.
 

• Charles Bellamy (28-3-2, 18) vs Yuto Shimizu (12-4-2, 5) II - Tokyo, Japan

A third bout of some note to begin the month is a rematch between Japanese based American Charles Ballamy and Japanese local Yuto Shimizu. These two men had a great bout in 2018 and we're expecting another really entertaining bout here. Neither man is in their prime, or expected to go and reach great heights, at least not now, but they are well matched and this should be very fun to watch.
 

• Fanlong Meng (14-0, 9) vs Adam Deines (17-0-1, 8)-Macao S.A.R., China

In China we get a pretty notable bout at a higher level, as the unbeaten pairing of Fanlong Meng and Adam Deines fight in an IBF Light Heavyweight eliminator. This all southpaw bout sets the winner up for a shot at Artur Beterbiev, and whilst they will be the under-dog against the hard hitting Russian it's a huge opportunity. At 31 years old it is now or never for Meng but this bout is certainly no gimmie for the Chinese hopeful.
 
June 8th-

• Gennady Golovkin (38-1-1, 34) vs Steve Rolls (19-0, 10) - New York, USA

One of the few really big names in action in the first part of the month is former world unified champion Gennady Golovkin, who looks to return to the ring for the first sime since his 2018 loss to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. The Kazakh puncher will be up against unbeaten Candian Steve Rolls in what looks like little more than an easy comeback bout for the Kazakh, who is angling hard for a third bout with Alvarez. This really should be little more than a show case for Golovkin.
 

• Ali Akhmedov (14-0, 10) vs Abraham Han (26-4-1, 16)-New York, USA

A much better bout from New York will see Kazkah prospect Ali Akhmedov take a step up on class to take on the always entertaining Abraham Han. This is unlikely to be anything but fun, though we do feel that Akhmedov will have the advantages stacked in his favour, in terms of size, power, strength and youth. Still Han has experience and could ask some new questions of Akhmedov.
 

• Israil Madrimov (2-0, 2) vs Norberto Gonzalez (23-12, 13)-New York, USA

A third nout on the New York card of some note will. feature Uzbek contender Israil Madrimov taking his next step forward, as he battles experienced Mexican gatekeeper Norberto Gonzalez. Madrimov has impressed in his first 2 bouts and will likely find himself fighting for a world title sooner rather than later, though this is a really good test for him at this early stage in his career and a stoppage against Gonzalez would be a genuine statement. Gonzalez is limited but tough and should be expexted to give Madrimov some rounds here.
 
June 9th-

• Eruka Hiromoto (4-0) vs Chan Mi Lim (4-6-1, 4) -Hiroshima, Japan

Continuing with emerging fighters it's worth noting that female hopeful Eruka Hiromoto will be getting her first title fight, as she faces Korean puncher Chan Mi Lim in a bout for the OPBF female Minimumeight title. These two have fought before, with Hiromoto beating Lim just over a year ago in a 4 round bout, but over 8 rounds we're expecting to see a lot more from the fast rising 18 year old Hiromoto.
 

• Jayson Mama (12-0, 6) vs Kwanthai Sithmorseng (49-6-1, 26) - Metro Manila, Philippines

Rising Filipino hopeful Jayson Mama has had a great 12 months, winning an IBF Silk Road tournament and beating Fahaln Sakkreerin Jr. He looks to build on that success here when he takes on former WBA world champion Kwanthai Sithmorseng, in what will be his biggest bout to date. Kwanthai is well past his best, but should have the experience to ask questions of Mama here in what could be a good test for the youngster.
 

• Dave Apolinario (10-0, 6) vs Dexter Alimento (13-6, 9)-Metro Manila, Philippines

Mama isn't the only unbeaten and talented Filipino on this card, in fact hes one of three notable unbeaten prospects. Another is Dave Apolinario, a very highly regarded fighter who has impressed since making his debut as a teenager. The talented Apolinario is taking on the out of form Dexter Alimention in an all-Filipino bout. At one point in time Alimento looked like a man with a lot of ability and a high ceiling, but after an unfortunate bout with Chanachai CP Freshmart in 2016 Alimento has gone 3-6. This should be a straight forward win for Apolinario, given Alimento's recent form, but we do hope Alimento can put in a good performance.
 

• Carl Jammes Martin (12-0, 11) vs Rakesh Lohchab (6-0, 2)-Metro Manila, Philippines

The third unbeaten Filipino prospect in action here is the all action Carl Jammes Martin, who looks set to become a staple of boxing on Filipino TV. He'll be up against unbeaten Indian Rakesh Lohchab. Martin might not be a big name, yet, but he is one of the most fan friendly fighters in the sport today, and we would single him out as being one of the fighters that the Filipino needs to make the most of over the coming years. Lohchab is a bit of an unknown, and this is a huge step up in class for him. Whilst the visitor could be a surprise package we really don't imagine him being any threat to a fighter like Martin
 

• Randy Petalcorin (29-3-1, 22) vs Worawatchai Boonjan (14-21-1, 13)-Metro Manila, Philippines

Also on this Metro Manila show is former world title challenger Randy Petalcorin, who looks to bounce back from a loss in an IBF title fight to Felix Alvarado. The talented Pinoy will be in a very clear confidence build here, as he takes on Thai visitor Worawatchai Boonjan, in what should be little more than a blow out win for the Filipino fighter, who will hopefully be in bigger bouts before the end of 2019.

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