 By - George Delis (@Delisketo)
On September 25, undefeated world champion Hiroto Kyoguchi makes his light flyweight debut, against Tibo Monabesa at Korakuen Hall. Hiroto Kyoguchi (10-0 / 7 KOs) was initiated into martial arts from a very young age, since both his father and uncle were karate masters, he took up the sport when he was only 3 years old. His focus was shifted to boxing 9 years later when he saw his brother training in a local Osaka gym. During his University years, he won the 69th National Sports Festival (2014), which is considered to be Japan’s premier sports event and also became captain of the boxing team. In 2015, he entered the 5th Taipei City Cup International Boxing Tournament, winning second place. Kyoguchi’s amateur record was 52-14. Turned pro in 2016, Kyoguchi fought 5 times that year, winning all of his bouts via KO/TKO within 3 rounds. His first championship victory came on February of 2017 when he stopped Filipino fighter Armando de la Cruz (25-14*), with some lethal body shots, to win the OPBF Minimumweight title. On July 23, 2017, the Osaka born star received an IBF world title opportunity against Jose Argumedo (20-3*), the man who defeated Katsunari Takayama for the same belt in 2015. Kyoguchi, with his fast combinations, controlled the fight, keeping him ahead on the judges score cards. Argumedo was no pushover though as he displayed a strong offense for a few rounds, not enough though to win him the fight. In the 9th round, Kyoguchi knocked the champion down after landing a well calculated left hook followed by a series of strikes. The barrage continued throughout the remaining rounds, much to the excitement of the Japanese fans. In the end, Kyoguchi got the unanimous decision and became the world champion, only 15 months after his pro debut. Kyoguchi marked his first successful title defense over 3 time world title contender Carlos Buitrago (30-2*). Much like the previous bout, the Japanese boxer was in full control, even came close to ending the fight in the 6th round. After 2 more action packed rounds, Kyoguchi went for the kill in the 8th, putting the hurt on the challenger, leading to the referee stopping the fight. His second and last defense was against Vince Paras (13-0*) this past May. Eventually, Kyoguchi decided to vacate his title and move up a weight class, as he looks on making an impact in the division, he conquered as an amateur. His light flyweight pro debut will take place next Tuesday when he takes on unbeaten Indonesian fighter, Tibo Monabesa (18-0 / 8 KOs). Kyoguchi’s already ranked amongst the top 5 of the division (WBA #2 / WBC #3 / IBF #5 – August rankings) so it’s safe to say that he’s only one or two wins away from competing again for a world championship. Monabesa will be a tough test as he is also a world ranked boxer (WBA #6 / WBC #13 / WBO # 8 – August rankings). However the experience factor lies with Kyoguchi here, despite being the younger of the two, since he has had a much more accomplished career, both as an amateur and as a pro. To conclude with, it’s important to point out that Hekkie Budler, the WBA Super champion, has expressed interest in fighting Kyoguchi for the strap. So if Kyoguchi is victorious against Monabesa, we could be seeing these two box for the world title, sooner or later. *Denotes record leading into the fight
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 By - Jeffrey Pamungkas
Indonesia’s world rated in the jr. Flyweight division Tibo Monabesa (WBA#2 and WBC# 11, 16-0-2 (8 KOs)) sucesfully knocked out Geboi Mansayao of the Philippines with a vicious left uppercut to the body in the second round of the scheduled 10 rounds in the jr. Flyweight division. “I have decided that Monabesa should have stepped higher. He is ready to challenge the WBC champion Ken Shiro or WBA champion Ryoichi Taguchi,” said Armin Tan, who acts as Monabesa’s promoter, manager and coach all at once, at the venue, the Breeze, South Tangerang City in Indonesia, Saturday night (9/30) after the bout. On the main card, Indonesia’s popular boxer Defry Palulu (19-2-1, 12 KOs) sucesfully grabbed the vacant super featherweight WBC Asian Boxing Council by defeating another popular Indonesian Isack Junior (25-8-2, 8 KOs) with a split decision in a stunning 12 rounds southpaw vs. southpaw action. On the other card, Monabesa’s stabble mate John “the Fox” Ruba (15-3-1, 8 KOs) also grabbed the WBC Asian Boxing Council title in the super lightweight divison by defeating another Filipino boxer Jeffrey Garcia (5-7-4, 4 KOs) via TKO in round 8. Garcia finally said “no mas” after receiving many punishments from Ruba since the first rounds. Another home’s hero Sammy “Hagler” Tehuayo (21-43, 2 KOs) won the vacant UBO Asia Pacific by defeating Thailand former world contender Kachonsak Pothong by TKO in round 4. Note: Photo: Tibo Monabesa (left, wth black shirt) and Defry Palulu |
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