Category: Yuki Nagano

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

1/25/2020

It feels like January has been an incredibly bitty month for fight fans, with stretches without bouts, and a real lack of consistency through the month. We've had some notable bouts, of course we have, but for the most part it's concentrated on only a few days and hasn't been spread through much of the month. Thankfully that is set to change in February when we have a lot more to look forward to.

February 1st-
Nuevo León, Mexico
Pedro Taduran (14-2, 11) Vs Daniel Valladares (22-1, 13)
The most significant bout at the start of February sees IBF Minmumweight champion Pedro Taduran travel off to Mexico to defend his title, for the first time. The exciting champion, who won the belt in September when he stopped Samuel Salva in a short but thrilling bout, will be up against talented Mexican Daniel Valladares in what should be a really good bout. Taduran isn't the most polished, but sets a high work rate and lets power shots go, as if the judges are people he doesn't want to see. Valladares is more polished but will be moving down in weight for this bout. Expect this to be a genuinely brilliant fight!

Tokyo, Japan [G+ - Live]
Yuki Nagano (17-2, 13) Vs Keita Obara (22-4-1, 20)
The 2020 Champion Carnival kicks off with a brilliant looking Japanese Welterweight title fight, pitting in form champion Yuki Nagano against mandatory challenger Keita Obara. A win here for Nagano will push him on to the fringes of the world rankings, though he'll be a clear under-dog against the hard hitting Obara. For Obara a win here would see him becoming a 2-weight Japanese national champion and claim his third win since losing in a world title eliminator last March, as he looks to build some career momentum.

Ryusei Ishii (8-5-1, 5) Vs Yamato Hata (9-1, 9)
In a JBC Youth Super Featherweight title fight fight the limited Ryusei Ishii takes on the heavy handed Yamato Hata, with both men looking to move their career forward and claim their biggest win to date. Hata will be the favourite but Ishii has competed at a higher level and is no push over.

Kenshi Noda (1-0, 1) Vs Thomas Tope Hurek (2-4-1, 1)
Former amateur standout Kenshi Noda looks to continue his professional journey as he takes on Indonesian foe Tomas Tope Hurek. This should be little more than a showcase for the talented Noda.

Hiroto Yashiro (1-0, 1) Vs Abdul Rauf (1-2)
Another prospect in action here is Hiroto Yashiro, who is also expected to pick up a very easy win as he takes on Indonesia's Abdul Rauf. Given this is early in his career we can't complain too much about an easy fight for Yashiro, but don't be surprised if this one is over quickly.

Khonobod, Uzbekistan
Jasurbek Latipov (0-0) Vs TBA
Talented former amateur stand out Jasurbek Latipov makes his professional debut at the start of February. At the moment we've not been informed who Latipov will be facing, but the bout is being described as a chance for the excellent Uzbek to try and catch the eye of promoters, and we suspect he is going to look sensational here. He is certainly one to watch and this debut is one that should be of interest to fans who want to get in on the ground level for someone who will be looking to get fast tracked.

Kaliningrad, Russia
Rustam Tulaganov (2-0, 1) v Norbert Dabrowski (23-8-2, 10)
Touted Uzbek fighter Rustam Tulaganov takes a huge step up in class as he takes on Norbert Dabrowski. The talented Tulaganov was tipped for big things when he debuted in 2017 but hasn't been active enough to get to where he should be now. Thankfully he, and his team, are willing to take risks and a win here will help him make up for lost time.

February 8th-
Pennsylvania, USA [Showtime - Live]
Gary Russell Jr (30-1, 18) Vs Tugstsogt Nyambayar (11-0, 9) -
In a bout we're really looking forward too we'll see WBC Featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr defending his belt against mandatory challenger Tugstogt Nyambayar. This is a mouth watering bout and a great chance to see whether or not the unbeaten Mongolian is for real. The American champion, who has gained a reputation for not liking the sport, and not by anywhere active enough, is talented but incredibly frustrating and has wasted his prime years. Nyambayar on the other hand is getting his shot at the big time, at last, and will know a win here will be huge for his career. In fact a win here for Nyambayar will see him becoming only the second Mongolian world champion. A really important and significant bout.

February 11th-
Kariya, Japan
Kento Hatanaka (10-0, 9) Vs Roland Jay Biendima (15-5-1, 8) -
In Kariya we'll see WBC Youth Flyweight champion Kento Hatanaka make his next defense of the title as he takes on Filipino foe Roland Jay Biendima. On paper this looks like a mismatch but in reality this should be another great test for Hatanaka, who struggled last time out against Jaysever Abcede. Although talented and exciting Hatanaka does need time to mature and develop and this type of bout is perfect for that. Biendima isn't a world beater but should serve as an excellent test for Hatanaka at this point in time.

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

8/29/2019

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August wasn't the biggest month for Asian boxing, but was a solid month overall, which had plenty of shows to be excited about and a very few real breaks between something of note.

On paper September looks like it will be a lot less interesting than August was. It looks to start slowly, peak with a flurry of major bouts in the middle, then tail off in forgettable fashion. With that said lets have a look at what's to come in the first part of the month.

September 7th
Samuel Salva (17-0, 10) Vs Pedro Taduran (13-2, 10) -Metro Manila, Philippines
The first world title bout takes place on the 7th and is an all-Filipino battle for the vacant IBF Minimumweight title. The bout pits the unbeaten Samuel Salva against hard hitting youngster Pedro Taduran. For Salva this is his first world title bout, and a chance to announce himself after a relative slow build on the Filipino domestic scene. As for Taduran the bout will be his second world title fight, following a 2018 loss to Wanheng Menayothin. The winner of this will be seen as the weakest of the champions at 105lbs but they'll have had a very credible win to take the title regardless.

Giemel Magramo (23-1, 19) vs Eaktwan BTU Ruaviking (25-5, 16) - Metro Manila, Philippines
On the same card as the Salva/Taduran bout we also get an IBF Flyweight world title eliminator, as once beaten Filipino hopeful Giemel Magramo takes on former world title challenger Eaktwan BTU Ruaviking, aka Komgrich Nantapech, in what could end up being one of the best bouts of the month. The winner will likely get a shot at Moruti Mthalane, though will almost certainly have to go through a real war to get that title fight. Both of these men like to come forward, through shots and press the action, so we're expecting a bit of a phone booth tear up here. On paper Eaktwan is the more experience and proven but Magramo looks to be the more naturally talented and smarter. Either way we're in for something very special here.

Yuki Nagano (16-2, 12) vs Makoto Kawasaki (11-7-1, 2) - Tokyo, Japan
In a Japanese Welterweight title fight we'll see Yuki Nagano defending his title against veteran Makoto Kawasaki. On paper this looks like an easy first defense for Nagano, though we really can't begrudge him an easy one after successive wins over Riku Nagahama, Yuki Beppu and Ryota Yada. With a 14 fight winning run Nagano is in great form and full of confidence. The 35 year old Kawasaki on the other hand likely knows retirement is looming and a loss he will almost certainly push him into hanging up the gloves. Kawasaki isn't a bad fighter, but we really don't know what he has in his arsenal to test the in form champion.

Jorge Linares (45-4, 28) Vs Al Toyogon (10-4-1, 6)
Former 3-weight world champion Jorge Linares has fought around half of his carer in Japan, though amazingly he's not fought in the Land of the rising Sun in well over 4 years. The wait for his Japanese return ends here as he takes on Filipino Al Toyogon, who looks to end a 2-fight losing run. The exiting, but vulnerable, Linares is in a position where his career is likely over as a world class operator with another loss. Toyogon comes into this on the back of losses to Ryo Sagawa and Shuya Masaki, but will know a win here will get the boxing world talking about him, and there is no better time to face Linares.

September 12th
Saemi Hanagata (15-7-4, 7) Vs Nao Ikeyama (18-5-4, 5) III - Tokyo, Japan
All female cards are rare, but when they happen in Japan they tend to be stacked with some excellent match ups. On September 12th we get once such card, headlined by the third bout between IBF Atomweight champion Saemi Hanagata and former WBO Atomweight champion Nao Ikeyama. After drawing in the first 2 fights of their rivalry both will be desperate to take home a win here and we're expecting an all out thriller, much like their previous bouts.

Ayaka Miyao (23-7-1, 6) Vs Monseratt Alcaron (12-4-2) - Tokyo, Japan
Another fantastic looking female world title bout on same card will see the WBA Atomweight title being unified. In one corner will be regular champion Monseratt Alcaraon whilst the other will house interim champion Ayaka Miyao, together they should make for a brilliant match up. Miyao is an aggressive veteran who uses a lot of speed and a high output whilst Alcaron is a smart fighter with an aggressive counter punching style. This should be a bout that really sees the style gel.

Eri Matsuda (3-0) Vs Mont Blanc Miki (4-2-1, 1) - Tokyo, Japan
A third Atomweight title bout on the same card will see Eri Matsuda make her first defense of the Japanese Atomweight title, as she takes on the limited Mont Blanc Miki. Matsuda is one of the pure talents in female boxing, and she will likely be targeting one of the winners from the world title fights on this show. Miki on the other hand has been stopped in both of her defeats, both at a low level, and a win here for the challenger would be a a big surprise.

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

4/18/2019

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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 February... Part 1

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

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

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