Category: What's To Come In April...

What's to come in April...Part 3

4/18/2019

The final 10 or so days of April are set to be packed with a fantastic variety of bouts, from national title fights, to world title fights. We see one of the most anticipated bouts of 2019, a female prodigy going for a world title in her 4th bout and the return of the WBSS. This is how you end a month!

April 20th-

Kosuke Saka (18-4, 15) Vs Joe Noynay (16-2-1, 5) -Osaka, Japan

The art of the month kicks off with an amazing match up for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Super Featherweight title, which was vacated by Masao Nakamura. In one corner you have big punching Japanese hopeful Kosuke Saka, looking to get back to calling himself a champion following a short reign as the Japanese Fetaherweight kng, in the other corner you have highly skilled Filipino Joe Noynay. This has a really exciting feel to it, and we're expecting a very, very special bout between well matched, but drastically different, fighters.

Pungluang Sor Singyu (52-6, 25) vs Carlo Magali (23-11-3, 12) - Bang Phun, Thailand

Not a title bout, but a contest worthy of note is a clash on WP Boxing which pits former WBO Bantamweight champion Pungluang Sor Singyu against former OPBF Super Featherweigth champion Carlo Magali. It's unclear what logic put these men into a match together, but it's an interestingly one. Coming in the Thai is more than 3 years removed from his last win, whilst Magali has lost his last 2 and taken a lot of punishment in those defeats. An interesting, but odd, match up.

April 21st-

Takayuki Okumoto (21-8-4, 10) Vs Yuta Matsuo (15-3-1, 8) -Osaka, Japan

Japanese Super Flyweight Super Flyweight champion Takayuki Okumoto makes his next defense as he takes on mandatory challenger Yuta Matsuo. This looks less than great on paper, but in reality it should be very interesting, very competitive and a bout that both men will be entering with the belief that they can, and will, win. It's not likely to be a FOTY contender, but it is almost certainly going to be a very hotly contested match up.

Ryota Yada (18-4, 15) Vs Yuki Nagano (15-2, 11) -Osaka, Japan

Hard hitters collide in a Japanese Welterweight title fight, as defending champion Ryota Yada takes on his mandatory challenger Yuki Nagano. Yada has impressed since losing to Jayar Inson, in a WBO Asia Pacific title fight, but this is a tough bout against a very in form challenger who has earned this shot with a win over the hard hitting Yuki Beppu. This could be very, very explosive, and incredibly exciting.

April 26th-
California, USA

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (47-4-1, 41) vs Juan Francisco Estrada (38-3, 26) II -California, USA

For us the most highly anticipated bout of the month takes place on the 26th of April and is the long awaired rematch between Thai monster Srisaket Sor Rungviai and former unified Flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada. The bout will see Srisaket defending the WBC and Ring Magazine Super Flyweight titles against the excellent Mexican in a rematch between men who clashed in one of the best bouts of 2018. Srisaket narrowly won their clash last year, but was struggling at the end and we're expecting a quicker start from Estrada this time around as we head towards another really exciting match up at Super Flyweight.

Shakhram Giyasov (7-0, 6) Vs Emmanuel Taylor (20-5, 14) - California, USA

Fantastic Uzbek prospect Shakhram Giyasov takes a step up in class, at least on paper, as he takes on Emmanuel Taylor. The talented Giyasov has impressed throughout his short career with a combination of power, skills, an exciting style and a real venomous to his punching. At his best Taylor was a fringe contender, though the 28 year old has been out of the ring for almost 2 years and is 3-3 in the last 6 years. Prior to the inactivity Taylor could have been a very good test, but now we suspect he'll be stopped, like he was when he facved Lucas Matthyse back in 2017.

April 27th-

Nonito Donaire (39-5, 25) vs Zolani Tete (28-3, 21) - Lafayette, USA

Another of the month's real standout bouts takes place on the 27th, just a day after the brilliant Sriskaet Vs Estrada bout, and will see Filipino Nonito Donaire take on Zolani Tete. Coming in Donaire will enter as the WBA Bantamweight "Super" champion whilst Tete is the WBO Bantamweight king, and not only is this a great match up and a unification bout, but also a WBSS Bantamweight semi-final. The winner of this will face either Naoya Inoue or Emmanuel Rodriguez, who face off in May, in the eventual final. A lot at stake, and a brilliant bout.

Kasumi Saeki (3-0, 2) Vs Elizabeth Lopez (6-1-4, 1) - Osaka, Japan

Before the WBSS action we get the chance to see a Japanese female novice take a step towards stardom, and compete in her first world title bout. The very talented, sharp, quick an intelligent, Kasumi Saeki goes up against Mexican Elizabeth Lopez for the vacant WBO female Minimumweight title. The bout isn't going to get huge international attention, but a win for Saeki would back up the hype that Shinsei gym seem to be giving her, and would certainly plaster her as "the new face" of female boxing in Japan. Lopez is the more experienced professional, but this is a much tougher bout than any she's had since her sole loss, back in 2015.

Etsuko Tada (18-3-2, 5) Vs Kanyarat Yoohanngoh (5-2, 3) - Osaka, Japan

Saeki's the young gun of the Shinsei gym, but she's not the only female of note there, with her stablemate Etsuko Tada also being a notable female fighter there. Tada will be up against Thai youngster Kanyarat Yonhanngoh, who Saeki stopped in 6 rounds, in a WBC female Minimumweight title eliminator. Tada is looking to become a grandslam champion and a win here will set her up for a WBC title fight, and a chance to grab the one title which has eluded her so far. A win for Kanyarat would however put her on the boxing map.

April 28th-

Jonas Sultan (15-4, 9) Vs Athenkosi Dumezweni (11-2, 8) -Eastern Cape, South Africa

The final bout of real intigue this month sees former world title challenger Jonas Sultan battle South African puncher Athenkosi Dumezweni for the WBC silver Super Flyweight title. The talented Sultan really didn't show what he was capable of when he took on Jerwin Ancajas, with Ancajas neutralising far too easily, and he also put on a poor showing last time out, despite out pointing Ardin Diale. Hard hitting Dumezweni has stopped his last 3 opponents in a combined 10 rounds, and will be looking to make the most his chance against someone who has fought at world level. As with many bouts from South Africa, this may be a hard one to watch, but it's one, where neither man can really afford a loss.

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What's to come in April...Part 2

4/9/2019

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The middle part of April promises a lot, despite having had some bouts fall through. We'll see prospects, title fights and must win cross road bouts over the coming week or so.

April 11th-
Tokyo, Japan

Shuichiro Yoshino (9-0, 7) Vs Accel Sumiyoshi (11-4-3, 3) -Tokyo, Japan

Unbeaten Japanese Lightweight champion Shuichiro Yoshino seeks his next defense, as he takes on under-rated mandatory challenged Accel Sumiyoshi. On paper this looks like a mismatch, especially given how good Yoshino is, but we are expecting it to be much more competitive than the records of the men suggest, with Sumiyoshi having a very misleading record. A win here for Yoshino will likely see him begin to chase regional titles to go alongside the Japanese belt.

April 12th-

Janibek Alimkhanuly (5-0, 2) vs Cristian Olivas (16-4, 13) - Los Angeles, USA

Unbeaten Kazakh prospect Janibek Alimkhanuly looks to continue his rise through the ranks, as he takes on Cristian Olivas. This should be a really good test for Alimkhanuly, with Olivas behind tough and heavy handed, though should be a test that he can pass and a test that he's taking at the right time, given that Olivas has lost his last 2 bouts. The aggressive match making of Alimkhanuly is exciting and hopefully we continue to see the development of his professional career here.

April 14th-

Musashi Mori (8-0, 5) Vs Richard Pumicpic (21-9-2, 6) II - Kumamoto, Japan

Last year we saw Japanese youngster Musashi Mori claimed the WBO Asia Pacific Featherweight title, with a technical decision win over Filipino foe Richard Pumicpic. The inconclusive ending left both wanting a rematch, and we now get to see them go at it again, with the unbeaten Mori looking to make his first defense of the regional title. This should be a very compelling and interesting bout, much like their first.

Ginjiro Shigeoka (2-0, 2) Vs Joel Lino (10-1-1, 3) - Kumamoto, Japan

Touted Japanese teenage Ginjiro Shigeoka is taking a major step up in class here as he takes on once beaten Filipino Joel Lino in what will be Shigeoka's first professional bout in Kumamoto, where he was born. Lino is a very good opponent and this should be a real test for Shigeoka, but a win will really put him in the mix for a title fight before the end of the year and could see him being moved onto huge fights in 2020/2021.

Seiya Tsutsumi (4-0, 3) Vs Ryan Rey Ponteras (22-13-3, 11)- Kumamoto, Japan

The all action Seiya Tsutsumi takes a step up to take on experienced Filipino Ryan Rey Ponteras, in what is a major test. Tsutsumi is an aggressive, exciting fighter who has real belief in his pressure style and heavy hands however Ponteras is tough, tricky and could be a potential banana skin for the unbeaten youngster.

Yuko Kuroki (17-6-1, 8) Vs Nao Ikeyama (18-5-3, 5) - Kyoto, Japan

In a must win bout fans will see former world champions Yukio Kuroki and Nao Ikeyama face off. Both have lost world titles in recent bouts and have suffered 2 recent losses, with neither able to bounce back from a third in such a short amount of time. Kuroki, the younger and naturally bigger fighter, will be favoured bu Ikeyama will know her career ends if she loses again here, given she is now 49 yars old.

Shione Ogata (10-6, 2) Vs Charimae Salvador (4-1, 1) - Kyoto, Japan

The in former Shione Ogata, a double regional champion, will be looking to take the OPBF Female Light Flyweight title as she takes on once beaten Filipino Charimae Salvador. Ogata really has been in good form and will know that a win here could open up a potential world title fight later in the year. Salvador is in deep here, and she was beaten last time out.

Tamao Ozawa (15-5, 6) vs Hye Soo Park (5-7-1, 1) - Kyoto, Japan

In an historic match up we'll see the JBC and KBM female Flyweight titles both being fought for, thanks to a new rule change from the OPBF. The rule change allows fighters from any OPBF nation to fight for the national title of any other OPBF national, and that's going to be the case here as Japanese and Korean titles are up for grabs. Despite the unique status of the bout the winner is expected to vacate one of their titles almost immediately after the bout. The idea of the change is to increase depth in divisions, but we then get weird and unique situations like this.

April 18th-

Yuta Saito (11-9-3, 8) Vs Hayato Kimura (28-10, 19) -Tokyo, Japan

The Japanese Bantamweight title gets unified here as regular champion Yuta Saito takes on interim champion Hayato Kimura, in what will be a really key bout for the division on the domestic scene. In 2018 the Japanese Bantamweight title seemed to be cursed, with a number of issues befalling fighters including Saito, and this bout here will hopefully end the curse. Saito is the puncher but Kimura is the younger man, and given their styles we are expecting a great fight with a real gelling of styles.

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

3/27/2019

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It's fair to say that March was a spotty month, with some real ups and downs, and little in terms on consistency. April however looks to be a month packed with great fights through the month, particularly in Japan where things really are a bit crazy!

April 2nd-

Ryo Akaho (33-2-2, 22) vs Hyuma Fujioka (10-7-1, 1) - Tokyo, Japan

Two time world title challenger Ryo Akaho is in action early in the new month to take on Hyuma Fujioka, in what looks like a mismatch. The bout is being sold as a contest to get Akaho some ring time with a southpaw, and it seems like there are bigger plans set for later in the year. We don't see him struggling here, but it is worth noting that he and his team have a plan, and it certainly involves needing more experience against lefties.

April 5th-

Riku Kunimoto (3-0, 1) Vs Shoma Fukumoto (12-3, 10)- Tokyo, Japan

The Japanese Middleweight scene is nothing amazing, but it's a good eco-system at the moment, with a combination of power fighters and skilled guys. Whilst none, other that Ryota Murata, will be expected to compete at world level there are some really interesting match ups the division can throw at us. One of those sees touted prospect Riku Kunimoto battle big punching Shoma Fukumoto in what should be a real test for the unbeaten youngster.

Juiki Tatsuyoshi (10-0, 7) Vs Daichi Matsuura (6-3-2, 2) - Osaka, Japan

Second generation hopeful Juiki Tatsuyoshi continues his development as he takes on Daichi Matsuura. The unbeaten man, the son of the legendary Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, is moving gradually towards bigger fights and if we're being honest he is developing quite well, given how raw he looked at the start of his career. There is still work to do for the 22 year old, but it's hard to imagine anything but a win here against the 29 year old Matsuura.

Kyosuke Tsutsumimoto (9-1, 8) Vs Tae Il Atusmi (15-2, 7) - Osaka, Japan

A mouth watering match up will pit hard hitting Japanese prospect Kyosuke Tsutsumimoto against Japanese based Korean Tae Il Atsumi. The once beaten Tsutsumimoto has gradually been impressing us, with his heavy hands but this is a legitimate step up in class. Atsumi has won 2 in a row since losing in 2017 to Shingo Kawamura and is a handful for anyone at regional level, on his day. This could very easily be one of the under-the-radar gems of the month.

April 6th-

Valentine Hosokawa (24-6-3, 11) Vs Koki Inoue (12-0, 10) - Tokyo, Japan

Japanese Japanese Light Welterweight champion Valentine Hosokawa looks to make his third defense of the national crown as he takes on mandatory challenger Koki Inoue, the cousin of Naoya and Takuma. The champion is a true veteran, who won the Rookie of the Year more than a decade ago, and has battled through the Japanese scene the hard way. Inoue on the other hand was a touted amateur who has been avoided at times on the domestic stage, but will see this as a great chance to announce himself as a rising star. The styles of the men should make for a very special fight.

April 7th-

Hiroshige Osawa (34-5-4, 20) Vs Ahmad Lahizab (4-7-1, 1) - Osaka, Japan

Former world title challenger Hiroshige Osawa will be up against Indonesian visitor Ahmad Lahizab, in what looks like little more than a stay busy fight for Osawa, before a bigger bout later in the year. Osawa is best known for being beaten by Oscar Valdez, and has gone 4-1 since then. Lahizab is little more than a fall guy here as Osawa continues to try and work his way towards a second world title fight.

Daiki Tomita (12-1, 4) Vs Jeffrey Galero (17-6, 8) - Osaka, Japan

A really interesting bout will see once beaten Japanese youngster Daiki Tomita take on former world title challenger Jeffrey Galero from the Philippines. Tomita is looking to bounce back from his first career loss, a decision loss to Tsubasa Koura, whilst Galero is seeking to the right the ship after 3 losses in his last 4 bouts. Galero, when he's on point, is a good fighter, but he's been stopped twice in the last 3 years and it's hard to know whether he still has any desire to really fight.

Andika D'Golden Boy (15-0, 8) vs Romshane Sarguilla (7-2-2, 4) - Jakarta, Indonesian

One of the rising hopefuls of Indonesia, Andika D'Golden Boy, will be looking to extend his unbeaten run to 16 fights as he takes on Filipino Romshane Sarguilla in a bout for the WBA Asia Light Flyweight title. The match up is an excellent one with D'Golden Boy, or Andika Sabu to give him his birth name, stepping up in class and Sarguilla looking to bounce back from a credible loss to Dave Apolinario. Both will be there to win, and we're expecting a really good bout.

Ari Agustian (7-0, 7) vs Suntorn Panhom (3-3, 2)- Jakarta, Indonesian

Another rising hope of Indonesia is Ari Agustian, a hard hitting and exciting fighter who scored a hug win last May, stopping Baolin Kang in China, then seemingly vanished. Agustian is one of the Indonesian fighters with the biggest upside and we see him easily beating Suntorn Panhim in this match up for a WBC regional youth title.

April 8th-

Akira Yaegashi (27-6, 15) Vs Sahaphap Bunop (4-2, 3)-Tokyo, Japan

Former 3-weight world champion Akira Yaegashi remains one of the most popular Japanese fighters thanks to his style. Here we'll see him fighting in a stay busy bout against Thailand's Sahaphap Bunop as he continues looking to prepare for a Super Flyweight world title bout. This isn't expected to be a test for the popular Yaegashi, but it should be a relatively safe bout before bigger threats and harder tests.

Andy Hiraoka (13-0, 9) Vs Atchariya Wirojanasunobol (12-0, 5)-Tokyo, Japan

Unbeaten men collide with Japanese prospect Andy Hiraoka battling Atchariya Wirojanasunobol in a mouth watering match up. These two men are both hungry to score a career best win and know that a victory here should open up the doors to potential regional title bouts. Whilst neither man is massively well known in the West the winner certainly deserves some attention and to be put on the back of the mind of every fight fan.

Ryo Matsumoto (21-3, 19) Vs Carlos Obisuru (5-1-1, 1)-Tokyo, Japan

Former world title challenger Ryo Matsumoto tries to put a horrific 2018, in which he went 0-2 losing to Danny Roman and Ryo Sagawa, behind him. He's been matched very softly here against an Indonesian he really should just run through. There is nothing on Obisuru's record to suggest any sort of a test here for the talented Matsumoto.

Taku Kuwahara (3-0, 2) Vs Aprilianto Rumahpasal (1-3, 1)-Tokyo, Japan

Very highly regarded Japanese prospect Taku Kuwahra looks to continue his perfect start as he takes on Indonesian foe Aprilianto Rumahpasal. Much like Matsumoto's bout this should be a mismatch, especially given that Kuwahara is one of the best prospects in Japan, but he's going to have to keep his eye on the ball as title bouts may not be far away and anything like a cut could slow his rapid ascent to becoming a champion.

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What's to come in April...Part 3

What's to come in April...Part 2

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

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