CAN AZARCON STOP SHIGEOKA’S RISE?

By Rene Bonsubre,Jr

Filipino Clyde Azarcon (15-2-1,5KO’s) will face Japanese blue chip prospect Ginjiro Shigeoka (3-0,2KO’s) on July 27 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight title. 

Last year, Azarcon had his first attempt at a WBO regional title and lost to Rene Mark Cuarto by unanimous decision in Davao. Cuarto would go on to lose in an IBF eliminator to a fellow Filipino, Samuel Salva, also by unanimous verdict, last March. 

The 24 years old Azarcon hails from Davao City. Together with trainer Christopher ‘Pingping’ Tepora, they will be leaving for Japan Wednesday July 24.

“Clyde is ready,” Tepora told this writer, “All we need to focus now is to make weight.”

“We already reviewed a video of his opponent,” Tepora added, “The Japanese is good but Clyde has a good chance of winning. One of his sparring partners is Rhonvex Capuloy”

Capuloy is a southpaw featherweight who has a 6-1 record. Trainer Tepora is the elder brother of former WBA interim featherweight titleholder Jhack Tepora. He is also known for having trained Johnriel Casimero when he won the IBF world junior flyweight title in 2012.

The 19 year old Shigeoka, a southpaw, was born in Kumamoto, Japan. He turned pro in 2018 and is being touted as Japan’s next prospect to watch and future main attraction. His amateur record is an impressive 56-1. This included a victory in the 2017 Japanese High School National Selection Tournament in the pinweight (46kg) category.

In his last fight, he beat Filipino Joel Lino by unanimous decision.

Last February, Azarcon fought Gary Rojo to a majority draw in Cebu City. This fight showed Azarcon’s vulnerabilities, In the fourth, Azarcon sent Rojo down. But he got up and survived. Rojo looked to be in more trouble in the fifth when he was knocked down by an accidental head butt. After being given five minutes to recover, he finished the round by bloodying Azarcon’s nose. Just when it seemed Azarcon was headed for a points win, Rojo knocked him down in the eighth and final round and managed to save the fight. In his last bout, Azarcon beat Ernesto Alera by unanimous decision, also here in Cebu City.

Azarcon has a fan friendly style and has seen his share of pro ring wars. But will this be enough to stop the talented Shigeoka’s two-fisted attack and ruin the Japanese’s ascent to stardom?

Photo – Clyde Azarcon during the weigh-in for his fight against Rene Mark Cuarto

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