 Through December every weekend seems to have something of note happening in the wonderful world of Asian boxing.
Thankfully for those who need a bit of a break this coming weekend looks like the best on to take some time to yourself, but is still a pretty interesting weekend with a female world title fight, a Japanese youth title fight and a GAB title fight all coming on Saturday! Kagoshima, Japan The biggest of the shows takes place in Kagoshima, where we see a female world title fight, as well as domestic stalwart take on a Thai visitor and a Rookie of the Year winner taking on an unbeaten Thai puncher. The world title fight will see Japanese veteran Tenkai Tsunami (26-12-1, 15) make her second defense of the WBO female Light Flyweight title as she takes on Filipino challenger Jessebelle Pagaduan (12-1-1, 5), who gets her third shot at a world title. The 35 year old Tsunami has held this title since March 2018, but has only defended it once due to challenging Naoko Fujioka for the WBA Flyweight title earlier this year, and fighting to a draw in a fantastic 10 round back and forth. Filipino fighter Pagauan, also 35 years old, has failed in 2 other title challenges, both in Japan. In the first she lost to Nao Ikeyama, in a bout for the WBO Atomweight title, before a headclash with Kumiko Seeser Ikehara saw her WBO female Minimumweight title fight end in a technical draw. Although Pagaduan will be hungry, she will be up against it here. Our preview of this bout can be read here Tsunami and Pagaduan clash in WBO world title fight! In a supporting bout Naoya Haruguchi (15-11, 6), one of the most over-looked fighters in Japan, will take on Thai visitor Sanchai Yotboon (6-3, 6). Although Haruguchi's record is patchy at best his last 4 defeats have come to current Japanese champion Norihito Tanaka, current OPBF champion Lito Dante, former world champion Tatsuya Fukuhara and former world title challenger Riku Kano, and he wasn't embarrassed in any of those bouts. As for Yotboon he is 0-3 in Japan and was actually the debut opponent for Ginjiro Shigeoka in September 2018. Incidentally Yotboon was stopped by another fighter on this card, Sora Takeda, back in April. Talking about Sora Takeda (5-1, 1) the 2018 Rookie of the Year winner is in an interesting bout of his own as he takes on unbeaten Thai puncher Phanuwit Siriwong (7-0, 6). Since winning Rookie of the Year last December Takeda hasn't really done much, with his sole bout being his 3rd round KO win over Yotboon. The 18 year old Siriwong on the other hand has notched up 6 stoppage wins this year and will be in Japan looking to score his biggest win to date. Osaka, Japan A second Japanese show is headlined by a Japanese Youth title bout, as Kyohei Tonomoto (9-2, 4) looks to make his first defense of the Japanese Youth Featherweight title. The under-rated Tonomoto, who suffered early career losses to Shingo Kawamura and Reiya Abe, has won his last 4 and took the title last time out with a decision win over Hikaru Matsuoka. On the other hand the once beaten Ryotaro Motohashi (9-1, 2) is on a 7 fight winning run, including a credible win over Noboru Osato back in April. This isn't a bout that will get much attention but could end up being a very compelling bout for those in Kishiwada. Our preview of this bout can be read here Tonomoto to defend Youth crown against Motohashi! Cebu, Philippines As well as the action in Japan we're also set for some Filipino action, with the most notable of two Filipino cards coming from Cebu. Sadly this card isn't a particularly strong one, with the only bout of real interesting being the main event, which will pit the hard hitting Jeo Santisima (18-2, 15) against former OPBF Super Flyweight champion Rene Dacquel (20-9-1, 6). This should be a good test for Santisima, but Dacquel has lost his last 3, and suffered his first stoppage loss last time out. Santisima will be favoured, but this is still a solid test for him at this stage in his career. In the main support bout Peter Apolinar (10-1, 7) will take on former OPBF title challenger Lloyd Jardeliza (8-10-4, 6). Although Jardeliza did once fight for an OPBF title, way back in December 2015, he has gone 1-5-1 in his last 7 and appears to have essentially given up actually trying to win fights On the under-card the unbeaten Regie Suganob (3-0, 1) will take on Rolly Dorong (1-1- 2) and Go Hosaka (4-0, 3) takes a good step up in class to battle Boyce Sultan (10-12-1, 5). These bouts will see Hosaka and Suganob fighting their third bout in the space of 5 months, though it's unclear on just how much ALA can really push them at this moment in time. Metro Manila, Philippines There will also be a small card in Metro Manila, which will be headlined by a bout between Cris Paulino (20-4, 8) and Mateo Handig (15-20, 9), who clash for the GAB Super Flyweight title. On paper this should be an easy win for Paulino. Although limited the 26 year old dubbed "The King" is a solid fighter on the Filipino scene, and all 4 of his losses have come to fighters above domestic level. On the other hand Handig has picked up just 2 wins since he upset Katsunari Takayama back in 2012, going 2-15 in his last 17. A mismatch to say the least.
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 Tokyo, Japan
The biggest card this coming Saturday is from Tokyo, and is the latest Dynamic Glove card set to be shown on tape delay. The card features a nice mixture of title fights and novices in what could be one a card of real interest. The main event of the show is a rematch between Japanese Middleweight champion Kazuto Takesako (10-0-1, 10) and Shuji Kato (10-1-2, 6). These two fought earlier in the year, battling to a draw in a brilliant bout where the heavy handed Takesako had to dig deep to earn a draw against a determined and smart challenger. Kato will probably have felt like he let the win slip between his fingers in their first bout whilst Takesako may have over-looked his man and we should be assured another cracking bout here between men who are very well matched but have very contrasting styles. A full preview of this bout is available here Takesako and Kato go again for Japanese Middleweight crown! The chief support bout sees former world title challenger Takeshi Inoue (13-1-1, 7) back in the ring following his loss to Jaime Munguia in January. The tough and exciting Inoue proved he could go to war against Munguia and will be expected to easily over-come Thai visitor Patomsuk Pathompothong (38-10-1 24) on a bout for the WBO Asia Pacific Light Middleweight title. Inoue actually held this title back in late 2017 and will be looking to become a 2-time champion. On the other hand the 35 year old Thai has been stopped in his last 2 bouts in Japan, both at 140lbs, and it's hard to see him putting up any sort of a fight against the rough and ready Japanese warrior. We've previewed this bout here Inoue returns to Japan to battle for regional title! An interesting support bout will see the once beaten Kenshin Oshima (5-1-1, 3) take on Filipino Wilbert Berondo (14-3-2, 6). Oshima didn't look great last time out, taking a win over youngster Ikuro Sadatsune in a very good bout in January, and will be hoping to shine here against Berondo. The Filipino on the other hand will be returning to Japan for the first time since he was stopped by Hinata Maruta back in 2016 in a WBC Youth title fight. Another promising youngster on this card is the hard hitting Takuma Takahashi (3-0, 3), who battles against Sitthidet Banti (11-4, 5). With just 5 rounds to his name Takahashi is still very much a professional novice, but it's clear he can bang, even if his technique needs some work before he starts to hunt titles. Takahashi was a successful amateur but still needs to polish his style in the next year or two and this should be a good chance for him to do some polishing against a tough Thai foe. Banti, also known as Denchana Sakkreerin, is no world beater but he's yet to be stopped and comes in to this bout on the back of 2 wins, including a victory over Saddam Kietyongyuth. Our "Introducing" feature on Takahashi from earlier in the year can be read here Introducing... Takuma Takahashi Also on this card will be the debut of Celes Kobayashi's latest signing Issei Ochiai (0-0). The talented youngster will be debuting against Thai foe Lerdchai Chaiyawed (1-2), who holds a notable 2018 win over Wittawas Basapean though was beaten last time out, in Japan, by Seita Ogido. There are big hopes for Ochiai and we expect to see whether those hopes are well founded or not here. Our "Introducing" feature on Ochiai can be read here Introducing... Issei Ochiai Metro Manila, Philippines The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City is set to host a title double header which features some really interesting match ups, mixing domestic talent with some international talent. The best of the all-Filipino fights on this card will see Allan Vallespin (12-4, 9) take on Glenn Enterina (14-5-1, 9) in an excellent match up for the GAB Super Featherweight title. The under-rated Vallespin is coming in to this on the back of just 1 win in his last 3, though he has been matched hard against the likes of Denys Brinchyk, Musashi Mori and Yoshimitsu Kimura, but is 12-0 in his homeland. Similarly Enterina has suffered all of his losses on the road, and is 14-1-1 (9) at home, showing just how good he is on the domestic scene. Given how these men have fared on the Filipino scene this should be a very competitive contest. The second title fight will see Filipino puncher Alvin Medura (8-4, 7) take on Japanese visitor Mugicha Nakagawa (24-6-2, 14) in a bout for the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super Bantamweight title. Medura has suffered his last 3 loses to Japanese foes, all on the road, but will feel confident that his power, which has netted him 5 wins int he first 2 rounds, will play a major factor against Nakagawa. Nakagawa on the other hand will be trying to put a few bad months behind him. He lost in a Japanese title fight back in January, to Ryoichi Tamura, and then fought to a draw last time out with Jin Miura. At his best Nakagawa is a tough, hard working fighter, but we do question his confidence coming into this one. If Nakagawa is half the fighter he was 12 months ago he takes a clear win here. One other Filipino Vs Japan bout will see Crison Omayao (24-19-5, 8) face Daisuke Sugita (4-1, 3), in what looks like an abhorrent mis-match. The 26 year old Omayao has fought much of his career as a Minimumweight, and was actually the debut of opponent of Naoya Inoue back in 2012, so we really need to query why he's fighting at Super Bantamweight here against the technically limited but hard hitting Daisuke Sugita. For Sugita this looks like a really straight forward way to get back to winning ways following a very clear loss back in January to Reiya Abe. We'd be very shocked if this one went more than a few rounds and didn't end up with Omayao suffering his 10th stoppage loss Metro Manila, Philippines A second card from the Philippines is a much smaller one, but will feature two more title bouts. One of those title bouts will feature the limited but hard hitting Prabhjot Singh (7-4-1, 7) taking on Edsil Jungco (3-12-7), with the two fighters battling for the PBF Middleweight title. Singh has lost his last 4, dating back over 2 years, and it's really hard to know what he has left to offer. Jungco on the other hand, the expect of the draw with 7 of them from 22 bouts, has notched 2 wins in his last 4 and will have some confidence coming into this bout after 1 win in his first 18. The other title bout on this card is between Alie Laurel (15-4-1,10) and Lloyd Jardeliza (8-9-4, 6), who battle for the LuzProBA Featherweight title. The 27 year old Laurel is very much an under-rated fighter, but sadly had his career put on ice for almost 3 years following a draw with Joe Noynay in 2016, a draw that now looks incredibly good. This will be his second bout since that bout with Noynay. JArdeliza on the other hand is best known for being stopped in 5 rounds by Shun Kubo in an OPBF title bout, back in 2015, and since then he has struggled to make any impact in the sport, going 1-6-1 since then. Jardeliza needs a win here, but is very unlikely to get it against the talented Laurel. Once beaten former world title challenger Jessebelle Pagaduan (11-1-1, 5) will be seeking her 5th straight win as she takes on limited domestic foe Charimae Salvador (4-2, 1). The talented Pagaduan has suffered both of her career set backs in Japan in world title bouts but will be looking to secure a third world title bout in the coming years. Interesting both of Salvador's set backs have also come in Japan but at a much lower level, including a loss to novice teenager Eruka Hiromoto last November. There's a gulf in class between these two, and it's hard to imagine anything but a clear win for Pagaduan. Thailand Staying in Asia there will also be a card that will be headlined by Campee Phayom (16-4-1, 10) taking on China's Lunjun Zhao (6-1) in a contest for a WBO Youth title at Super Featherweight. This is the least significant of the Asian cards for the day, but is still a chance to see two youngsters in action for a minor title. California, USA As well as all the action in Asia we'll also see Japanese veteran Hirotsugu Yamamoto (20-14-3, 4) make his US debut, as he takes on the unbeaten Michael Norato (7-0, 2). The Japanese fighter, who will be fighting in his 38th pro bout, will be fighting for the first time in a little over 2 years, with his last bout being a TKO2 loss Kenichi Ogawa. Although now aged 35 Yamamoto is looking to continue his career Stateside, though will be a big under-dog against the 26 year old Norato. The unbeaten American is technically set for his toughest fight, but this merely looks like a natural step up for him, and Norato should pick up a straight forward win. Bangkok, Thailand
This coming Sunday fans in Bangkok will be able to see a small card, but a card featuring fighters from a number of countries. One of the bouts will see Thai based Japanese teenager Ryo Hashiya (2-0, 2) take on the limited Detnarong Omkrathok (1-9, 1). The 19 year old Hayashi made his debut back in February and has been impressive so far against total novices, this however should be a better test and give Hashiya a chance to show something new in his arsenal. Indian hopeful Urvashi Singh (2-0, 2) will be looking to continue her perfect start as she takes on the experienced Sumalee Tongpootorn (8-10-1). Singh, a 23 year old fighter from Dehli, fought twice in June and is clearly being kept busy as she begins her career. The Thai, who has fought as Nongnun Mor Krungthepthonburi, has got experience of fighting at world level, but has lost her last 5 bouts and isn't likely to end that run here. Another unbeaten fight on this card is China's Zhen Li (2-0, 2), who looks to notch up his third win of the year as he takes on Natthaphon Numnak (0-3). According to Boxrec Li made his debut back in February at the age of 40 and it's clear that he won't have a long career, so it's good to see him being active with this being his 3rd bout in just over 5 months. The local has been stopped in all 3 of his bouts, including an opening round loss last year to the then debuting Hironori Mishiro. The most notable fighter on this card is former world title challenger Jessebelle Pagaduan (9-1-1, 4), who is set to return to the ring for the first time since January 2017. The Filipino, who is a 2-time world title challenger, will be looking to ease herself back into action here, as she takes on Saranyaphong Theinthong (1-11, 1), who really won't be expected to pose much of a threat at all top Pagaduan.  This coming Friday sees a relatively tame day in Asia, though there is shows across the continent.
Shanghai, China Japanese promotional outfit “reason”, who are behind the Dangan cards, have seen Tokyo as their base and a huge amount of their shows have taken place in the Japanese capital. In recent times however they have branched out across Japan and this Friday they begin to make their mark in China as they promote a show in Shanghai. The most notable bout on the card will see light hitting Chinese fighter Xian Qian Wei (12-6-1, 1) take on the crude but heavy handed Takuya Yamaguchi (11-11, 9) of Japan. Wei has impressed at times, and he scored a big win in 2015 against Rex Wao, but we don't really know how much actual promise he has going forward. Yamaguchi has been stopped in 2 of his last 3 but is a big puncher and should have the power to test Wei's chin. A very interesting match up for a low key regional title. In another bout on this card we'll China's Chunlei Lin (7-2, 1) take on Shun Wakabayashi (7-3, 1) in a very evenly matched contest on paper. We don't see this one finishing early, but it should be a very competitive and enthralling bout between two men looking to win not only for themselves, but also for their country. Strangely the top of the billing for this card appears to be a match between Wuhazi Ta La Pu Dan (1-1) and Igarashi Koji (4-1, 3). We can't really understand why the bout is higher up the card than the Wei Vs Yamaguchi bout, though there is a good chance this has been scheduled as a walk out bout, rather than the main event. Benguet, Philippines There will also be a relatively low key card in the Philippines. The main event will see the unbeaten KJ Natuplag (6-0-1, 5) take on Ronnie Campos (7-3-2, 4) in what looks, at least on paper, a step up in class for Natuplag. The 21 year old Natuplag has looked really promising so far but this will be the first time he has taken on someone who has a chance to really test him. As for Campos his record isn't very flattering but he's no push over, and shold probe to be a tough, but perhaps under-sized, opponent. Other fighters on this card include former female world title challenger Jessebelle Pagaduan (9-1-1, 4) and the experienced Diarh Gabutan (20-6-3, 11), who are both facing opponents that were late to be named. Pagaduan looks to score a third straight win, whilst Gabutan will be looking to build on his 2017 win over Roilo Golez, in what was their second bout. Singapore, Singapore There is also a card in Singapore pencilled in. Very few details for this card have been confirmed, but we have been told that Zakaria Bin Ismail (0-0-1) will be in action on the show. California, USA In the US fans will see Miami based Kazakh puncher Aidar Sharibayev (7-0, 6) look to continue his unbeaten record as he takes on Enrique Tinoco (16-5-4, 12). On paper this looks like a decent enough test for Sharibayev, but reality is that this actually a little bit of a step backwards for the unbeaten man who blasted out Daulis Prescott in a round last time out. Tinoco has only been stopped once in his 25 fight career and should be tough, but we suspect the Kazakh will be too big and too strong for him over the 10 round schedule.  Macao S.A.R, Macao
For a second day running fans in Macao will get a notable card at the Cotai Arena. The main event on this card will be a female world title fight and will see Japan's Etsuko Tada (16-2-2, 5) defending her IBF female Minimumweight title against once beaten Chinese fighter Cai Zong Ju (8-1, 1). The bout will be Tada's first defense of the title she won in December 2015 whilst the Chinese challenger will be fighting in her first world title fight. On paper it's hard to see Tada losing, but she has never won outside of Japan and Ju will have the fans behind her. In supporting bouts we'll see the unbeaten Wen Feng Ge (4-0, 2) face off with the once beaten Melmark Dignos (6-1), teenage hopeful Fei Hu Wang (3-0, 1) battle with the debuting Aleksei Podkolzin (0-0) and the very exciting Xiang Xiang Sun (9-0,7) battling with Kun Wang (6-2, 1). Tokyo, Japan As well as the Macao show there will also be a notable show in Tokyo. In the main event of the card fans will see former Japanese Super Flyweight title challenger Hayato Kimura (25-9, 16) battle against the under-rated Ryohei Takahashi (10-2-1, 2), who will be looking to record a career boosting win. Kimura has lost 2 of his last 4 fights, but they have come in title bouts against Sho Ishida and Kenta Nakagawa and he will be feeling confident of earning another title fight in the coming year or two. For Takahashi, a Rookie of the Year winner, the bout is a potential chance to score a statement win, however this would be the biggest win of his career and would certainly over-shadow his Rookie crown win from 2014. Cavite, Philippines As well as the action at the Korakuen Hall there will also be a low profile Filipino show from Cavite. The card is a small one but does have a few fighters of some interest on it. In a 10 rounder we'll see Recky Dulay (8-2, 5) face off with the highly experienced Philip Parcon (26-22-3, 8). Dulay lost last time out, and has gone 3-2-1 in his last 6, but will be favoured strongly here. Parcon hasn't won in over 2 years, but has faced some stiff competition and had a sizeable break from the ring, which could revitalise him here. In a supporting bout we'll see the unbeaten Joseph Ambo (2-0, 2) take on Alberto Pentecostes (1-10-1). Ambo has looked destructive so far, albeit against very limited opponents, and we expected to see more of the same here, especially given that Pentecostes has been stopped in 4 of his 10 losses. Arguably the biggest name on this card is former world title challenger Jessebelle Pagaduan (8-1-1, 4), who takes on the win-less Beverly Casero (0-1) in a 6 rounder. Pagaduan will be fighting for just just the second time since a February 2015 draw with Kumiko Seeser Ikehara, in a bout for the WBO Female Minimumweight title. Despite the inactivity Pagaduan should be more than good enough to beat Casero here. Benguet, Philippines
The only Asian card this Sunday is in the Philippines where fans can expect some mixed action. In the main event we get an international match up as Japanese banger Tosho Makoto Aoki (20-12-2, 17) takes on Filipino veteran Chaiyong Sithsaithong (38-14-4, 27) in a bout that is likely to be an explosive one. The two men, who both have very respectable power at this level, Will be fighting for the WBC Asian Boxing Council lightweight title, which Aoki will be hoping to defend for the first time since he claimed it, also in the Philippines. We're not expecting this to be a FOTY contender, but with both having genuine it could be an explosive and brief affair. A second title bout here will see Jessebelle Pagaduan (7-1-1, 4) battling against Christine Latube (1-7-2) for the GAB female Minimumweight title. Latube has gone 0-6-2 in her last 8 bouts and it's hard to see her beating the more proven Pagaduan, who has twice fought for a world title and is a former GAB champion. Another notable bout here will see former WBO Minimumweight champion Merlito Sabillo (24-2-1, 12) battle against Jack Amisa (21-37-2, 14) in a 6 round confidence builder. Sabillo has gone 1-2-1 in his last 4 bouts and does need to rebuild, so it's hard to hold this one against him even though Amisa has won just once in the last 4 years, during which he has gone 1-23.  As February has gotten going we have, slowly, seen the boxing world awaken and it now seems that March is going to continue the trend. Before we get to March however we need to see out February which looks set to go out with a bang...
Osaka, Japan The action in Japan to end the month isn't the best but it is notable with a couple of world title bouts as well as a former 2-weight world champion. Unfortunately those “world” class fighters are all female fighters and lack the attention that their male counterparts would get. The former 2-weight world champion is Mari Ando (11-7, 5) who battles against experienced Filipino fighter Jujeath Nagaowa (12-13-1, 8) in what looks to be an easy fight but really could be surprisingly difficult. Ando isn't a brilliant fight and although she is a multi-weight world champion her reigns have both been short. Nagaowa hasn't been a world champion but has been in with a who's who such as Momo Koseki, Samson Tor Buamas and Shindo Go whilst also being narrowly beaten in a number of other losses. This could, potentially, be a very competitive contest. One of the world champions in action is WBO female Minimumweight champion Kumiko Seeser Ikehara (6-1-1, 3) who will be hoping to record the first defence of her title as she battles against Filipino challenger Jessebelle Pagaduan (7-1, 4) in what looks like a greatest contest on paper. Sadly the paper is unlikely to give a full reflection of this bout and Pagaduan was beaten less than a year ago by Ikehara's friend Naoa Ikeyama in a bout for the WBO Atomweight title in a bout that really wasn't competitive. We suspect Ikehara looks just as dominated against Pagaduan as Ikeyama did. Talking about Nao Ikeyama (15-3-1, 4) the WBO Atomweight champion will also be in action as she defends her belt, for the second time, and takes on Norj Guro (7-3-1, 4). The Japanese veteran, aged 45, will likely retire if she loses here however she will be favoured coming into the bout against the distinctly less than impressive Guro who has won just twice in her last 6 bouts. Metro Manila, Philippines In the Philippines fans get a low level domestic show which is likely to give a number of prospects a chance to stay busy. In one of the feature bouts fans will see the world ranked Rene Patilano (12-1-2, 6) battle against “domestic loser” Aroel Romasasa (11-8, 5) who is in desperate need for a win after losing 8 straight following an 11-0 start to his career. Another of the feature bouts will see the unbeaten Jay Loto (9-0) fight against the limited JC Francisco (6-9-3, 2) in what looks like a mismatch on paper for the unbeaten but light punching Loto, who is known as “The Mindoro Assasin” despite his lack of power. Another well regarded unbeaten fighter on this card will be Randy Braga (14-0-1, 3) who battles the experienced Cristian Aliba (12-15-3, 4) in what looks like being one of the most competitive bouts on the shame, even though Braga should extend his unbeaten record. As well as the 3 bouts mentioned the card is expected to feature a further 8 contests. Eastern Cape, South Africa Another Filipino in action will be the heavy handed and criminally under-rated Rey Loreto (19-13, 11) who will be hoping that lightning strikes twice as he defends his IBO Light Flyweight for the first time. Last year we saw Loreto make a name for himself as he stopped former world champion Nkosinathi Joyi (24-3-0-1, 17) in eye catching fashion and he'll be hoping to do the same again when he travels to Joyi's homeland in a much anticipated rematch. Hamburg, Germany German fans will get the chance to see a potentially explosive encounter as “unbeaten” Kazakhstan Isa Akberbayev (14-0-0-1, 10) battles against Argentinian KO artist Ruben Angel Mino (25-1, 25). Mino has one of the most impressive looking records on paper however it is incredibly padded and it's hard to see how he'll fare here. Akberbayev was a touted prospect a few years ago though he was “exposed” when he was iced by Anthony Ferrante in January 2013 and it's hard to see him ever reaching his perceived ceiling, saying that he should win here against the limited but heavy handed Mino. (Image courtesy of boxmob.jp)  This Saturday is one of the quietest in boxing for a while but yet we still have some interes
Osaka, Japan The biggest show of the day, at least to us, is in Osaka where we get a trio of notable female bouts, including a pair of world title contests. That trio of bouts kicks off with the once beaten Kumiko Seeser Ikehara (4-1-1, 3), ranked #4 by the OPBF at Atomweight, fighting against a Thai opponent. Unfortunately we've been unable to identify the Thai though expect it to be a weak opponent as they try to build Ikehara towards a female title fight somewhere in the next 12-18 months. Following Ikehara's bout we then get the first of the title bouts as unbeaten Filipino Jessebelle Pagaduan (6-0, 4) battles Japanese veteran Nao Ikeyama (13-3-1, 4) in the inaugural WBO Atomweight title fight. At 44 years old this will be Ikeyama's first, and probably last, chance at winning a "big 4" world title and we can't help but think the significantly younger Pagaduan will simply be too young, too lively and too strong, despite this being a huge step up in class for the Filipino southpaw. The main event of the show, and the second world title fight, is a great looking clash between WBC female Minimumweight champion Mari Ando (11-6, 5) and former WBA title challenger Yuko Kuroki (10-4-1, 6). Although the ecords aren't flashy the fighters have an identical "point score" on boxrec and the bout is genuinely a very even looking one with both having power, toughness and plenty to offer in a bout that has all the qualities a fight fan could want to see in a contest. California, USA Russian former kick boxer Yuri Trogiyanov (0-0) makes his professional boxing debut as he battles Edwin Solis (5-2-3, 3). From our limited research on the 23 year old debutant we have read that he was dubbed a "super fighter" and a "sensation" in the kick boxing world and with a debut opponent like Solis, who is much better than his record indicates, this really could be the beginning of a special career. California, USA On a separate Californian card fans will have the chance to see the world ranked Light Welterweight Anton Novikov (28-0-0-1, 10) in action. Novikov will be facing the dangerous Javier Castro (27-6, 22). Castro, a Mexican southpaw, has been inactive for over a year but has the power and toughness to give plenty of fighters a tough night and the break may well have done him a world of good after 33 fights in 8 years. Novikov will obviously be favoured but this could be a seriously good test for the unbeaten Russian. London, United Kingdom In the UK fans will get the chance to see the Afghan born Israrullah Yaqobzai (1-0) who looks for his second win as he takes on the win-less Tom Price (0-5). Dubbed "The Afghan Lion" we've been told that Yagobzai was a successful amateur with real potential to make a name for himself as a professional. Of course we're unsure at this point but with Britain's Goodwin promotions behind him he may well manage to go on to win titles somewhere down the line. (Image courtesy of boxmob.jp) |
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