 This coming Saturday is a hectic day for Asian fight fans, the first of 3 really busy days to end the month of March. The key action is in Aichi, but there is also action in Tokyo, Incheon, Bangkok and even a bout of note in Germany.
Aichi Sky Expo, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan As mentioned the key show for the day is in Aichi, with 3150 and LUSH Bomu working together to deliver a card that is packed with notable fights, including a world title fight, a regional title fight and several notable prospects. The main event will see IBF Flyweight champion Angel Ayala Lardizabal (18-0, 8) take on IBF Light Flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki (17-4, 16), with Yabuki moving up 4lbs to challenge Lardizabal in a mouth watering clash. The unbeaten Mexican champion won the title in august, when he stopped Dave Apolinario, and built on an impressive run of results that also included wins against Cristofer Rosales and Felix Alvarado, albeit a very lucky win over Alvarado. Aged 24 Lardizabal is a talented youngster, and does have a good record, but this will be his first bout outside of Mexico, and it’ll be interesting to see how he fares against the hard hitting and hungry Yabuki, in Yabuki’s backyard. Yabuki is one of the heaviest handed fighters, pound for pound, in the sport today. He’s a KO artist as such, but he’s someone with sledgehammer, power, and unlike some punchers who wade in looking for the finish, he boxes, and lets his power work it’s way naturally into fights, as we saw when he stopped Sivenathi Nontshinga. Given Yabuki’s power, and the fact it carries late into fights, and the fact Lardizabal is the natural Flyweight, this bout really is a very intriguing one. The other title bout on this card will see OPBF Super Flyweight champion Giemel Magramo (30-4, 23) defending his title against the fast tracked Aoi Yokoyama (2-0, 1), in what looks to be a very dangerous big of match making for Yokoyama. Magramo is no world beater, he has come up short at, and around, world level with losses to Muhammad Waseem, Junto Nakatani, Taku Kuwahara and Anthony Olacuaga. He is however very much part of the top contenders, and wins over Judy Flores, Jayr Raquinel, Wenfeng Ge and Renz Rosia, have shown he's dangerous, skilled and not someone who should merely be seen as a stepping stone. As for Yokoyama, the Japanese youngster is hotly tipped by those at 3150 and Watanabe gym, but was given a real test last time out, when he narrowly got past Denmark Quibido. He was a very good amateur, and has shown a lot to like as a professional, with good skills, power and movement, but his composure has been questioned and there is a real feeling that Kameda is pushing him too fast, and maybe he needed another fight or two before a bout at this level. The under-card for this card is really solid, with numerous good looking bouts. One of those will see unbeaten youngster Ayumu Sano (9-0-1, 4) take on Thai visitor Nattapong Jankaew (13-4, 9). Sano looks to be one of the best hidden secrets in Japan, and at 22 has already won a WBC Youth title. Jankaew on the other hand showed a lot of promise early on, but has gone from 11-0 to 13-4 and although some of those losses have come to good fighters, such as Marlon Tapales and Hiroto Yashiro, it’s clear he’s not going to be mixing at world level. Sano should be favoured, but it’s a good step up. Another Japan Vs Thailand bout on this card will see Thai puncher Nanthanon Thongchai (13-3-2, 11) take on the debuting Rikito Irita (0-0) in a battle of 20 year olds. Thongchai, like many Thai’s, has padded his record at home in low level bouts and has lost when he’s faced notable names on the road, such as Regie Suganob and Takeru Inoue, and it’s expected that he will move to 0-4 on the road here. Irita, although this is his debut, was a good domestic level amateur, running up a 21-9 record, and he should be too good fir the visitor here. Interestingly the other 3 bouts on this card are all Japan Vs Philippines bouts. On paper the most interesting of those will see former world title challenger Jeo Santisima (25-7, 21) take on unbeaten youngster Ei Go (4-0, 2). Santisima was once looking like a solid world class contender, sporting a 19-2 record when he went into his 2020 bout with Emanuel Navarrete. Sadly since being stopped in 11 by Navarrete the Filipino has gone 6-4, and now looks like the best he’s going to do is become a stalwart at domestic level as a game title contender, though come up short as we’ve seen him do against Toshiki Shimomachi, Hayato Tsutsumi and Kenji Fujita. As for Go, the 24 year old Japanese fighter appears to be quickly rising through the rankings, scoring a notable domestic win over Koshin Takeshima and a win over Filipino Roldan Aldea. Notably Go should be too big for Santisima, given he's a Lightweight come Super Featherweight taking on someone who fought for a world title at Super Bantamweight. Santisima isn’t the only former world title challenger on this card as Kyosuke Okamoto (9-1-1, 6) takes on former Bantamweight world title challenger Michael Dasmarinas (36-3-2, 25), best known for losing to Naoya Inoue. Okamoto is stepping up massively for this bout, but the 21 year old has shown plenty of promise and is the naturally bigger man here, fighting at Featherweight, whilst also being a genuinely heavy handed fighter who has stopped his last 3. Dasmarinas is highly experienced, and the 32 year old Southpaw has mixed at a very good level, obviously given his bout with Inoue, but he has fought much of his career at Bantamweight and is certainly not someone who’s been beating world ranked fighters in pursuit of a second world title fight. Another Japan Vs Philippines bout will see highly touted professional novice Hayate Hanada (2-1-1, 1) clash with Yeroge Gura (8-1-1, 3), who’s only loss came to the previously mentioned Ayumu Sano last time out, with this being an easy to overlook bout, but one that should deliver some really high level action to open the show. Shinjuku FACE, Tokyo, Japan The card in Tokyo is much smaller with the main event here being a 6 rounder between the once beaten Ryu Suzuki (5-1-1, 1) and the unbeaten Shota Kajino (4-0-1, 3). The 25 year old Suzuki made his debut in 2022, losing on debut, and has since reeled off a number of low key domestic wins, most notably a 6 rounder against Shun Nakamura in November, over 6 rounds. Kajino on the other hand is an unbeaten puncher who drew on his debut, in early 2024, before reeling off 4 wins to win the Rookie of the Year in December, just 10 months after his debut, stopping Otaro Segawa in 4 rounds. Both have momentum coming into this but Kajiona has the clear edge in power whilst Suzuki is the naturally bigger man. World Siam Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand We also get a small card in Thailand, where one of the more noteworthy bouts will see once beaten Kazakh Heavyweight Askat Zhantursynov (8-1, 7) take on 20 year old local Weerapat Kamlangwai (7-4, 4), showing the level of show this is, it also features 50 year old Japanese fighter Toshiki Era (25-4, 20) , as he continues his genuine weight career, that has seen him fighting in more than 30 years after his debut! Nova Boxing Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea Over in Incheon we have a low key show, headlined by a 6 rounder between the unbeaten Jae Sung Park (4-0-1) and Joon Hee Lee (5-2-1, 2) at Welterweight. Park is the younger man, at 31 whilst Lee is 37, and given the ages of the two men it’s fair to say neither is being eyed as the future of Korean boxing. Despite that the bout is well matched, has two two men looking to move their career forward, towards a domestic title, and a bit of history, with the two fighting last September when Park took a very competitive win over 6 rounds. Since then Park has been out of the ring, whilst Lee has picked up a low key win and will feel he has some momentum coming into this. Deutsches Haus, Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Away from Asia we’ll see Japan’s Akane Fujiwara (7-4-1, 2) battle for the lightly regarded WBF female Super Featherweight title, as she takes on the in form Lara Ochmann (14-2, 5). The 37 year old Fujiwara has won both domestic and regional titles, albeit at Featherweight, but this will be her first bout outside of Japan, her first 10 rounder and is something of a step up, from fighters like Kimika Miyoshi and Yoshie Wakasa. Ochmann on the other hand has mixed with world class company, though was shut out over 10 rounds by Sarah Mahfoud in her one step up to that level, with her best win to date being over Leonie Giebel. On paper this isn’t a well matched bout, but Ochmann has a much more padded record than Fujiwara and the bout should be more competitive than it looks on paper.
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 Sangyo Shinko Center, Akashi, Hyogo, Japan
This Sunday Hyogo plays host to an easy to overlook card that has 3 noteworthy bouts on it. The main event will see the promising Kaishu Harada (5-0, 2) get a real test, as he takes on the hungry Renan Portes (13-17, 6), in a bout that looks like a mismatch but is expected to be a genuine test for Harada. The 24 year old Harada made his debut in 2023 and has been moved excellently by his team, scoring good wins over Claudevan Sese and Pete Apolinar in his first 5 bouts to help him break into the JBC and OPBF rankings. Harada was last seen in the ring in October, when he beat Harada, and whilst this is a quick turn around it is a case of making up for lost time, with that bout being his only other one in 2024. As for Portes, the Filipino looks very limited on paper, and he is 3-12 in his last 15. Notably however he has often been fighting much, much, bigger fighters picking up losses at Lightweight and Super Featherweight. When fighting at Super Bantamweight and Featherweight he has looked a much better fighter, picking up a win against Jason Canoy last year, and being robbed against Keita Kurihara back in July, in a bout where even Kurihara thought the judges got it wrong. Harada should be favoured, but Portes isn’t as bad as his record, and recent form, suggests and will be there looking to make a statement after the Kurihara bout. In the chief support bout we’ll see JBC and OPBF ranked Super Bantamweight Mugicha Nakagawa (28-11-3, 18) take on Thai visitor Chatpayak Srisuwa (5-1, 5). Nakagawa will be trying to end the year on a high after losses to Kazuki Nakajima and Kyonsuke Kameda. After those two losses, in February and July, he is 1-2-1 in his last 4 and almost 15 months removed from his last win. Now aged 35 he can ill afford another setback if he’s to land another title shot, having lost in bouts for both Japanese and OPBF titles. As for Srisuwa the 29 year old Thai has never beaten a fighter with a win, and his sole bout outside of Thailand saw him being stopped in 5 rounds, in Japan, by Shinsei Otani, back in May. This pretty much viewed as an easy bout for Nakagawa, which is hard to complain about given his recent losses. Potentially the best bout on this card will see the once beaten Japanese based Korean Young Doo Choi (6-1, 5) take on unbeaten Filipino David Santisima (6-0, 5), in a bout that looks great on paper. Choi’s only loss in 7 bouts was a competitive one, in 2023 against Seira Kishida in Kishida's home of Kobe, and since then he has bounced back with a quick win over Kohei Hamamoto. He has an exciting and aggressive style and win, or lose, he should make for fun bouts when matched correctly. As for Santisima, he is a 22 year old who is making his international debut here. To date he has needed just 15 rounds to score his 6 wins, including a solid one against Ryan Rey Ponteras. This is a step up for him, against a fellow hungry fighter, but he will know a win in Japan, against Choi, should help secure him more notable bouts going forward. We’re expecting this one to be a very exciting and violent bout, for as long as it lasts. Sumiyoshi Ward Center, Osaka, Osaka, Japan event We also get a noteworthy card in Osaka, which like the Hyogo show won’t get much attention from fans outside of Japan, despite featuring three notable prospects, with each trying to add one more win before the year is out. The more notable of the two prospects is former amateur stand out Ryang Ho Han (2-0, 1), who is quickly getting a reputation as one of the best prospects in Japan. The unbeaten 27 year old will be up against Toma Kondo (8-9-3, 1) as he looks for his third win in just over 8 months. Stood at around 5’8” Han is huge for a Super Flyweight, he’s a heavy handed southpaw, with solid amateur fundamentals and has already shown that he has both power, skills and stamina, having gone 8 rounds with highly experienced Thai Jakrawut Majungoen back in August, in just his second pro bout. He appears to have it all. In Kondo we have a fighter whose record is poor, but he is a lot better than the numbers suggest. He has only been stopped twice whilst facing a lot of top domestic prospects since his 2016 debut, with losses against the likes of Kantaro Juri Tsubasa Murachi and Hayate Hanada, and draws against very capable fighters like Yuki Nakajima, Ryutaro Nakajima and Ryo Miyazaki. This looks like a mismatch on paper, but Han should have to work for a win. If he blows Kondo out, expect to see Han fighting for a title, of some kind, early next year. Talking about title fights, the chief support will see Takeru Inoue (4-1, 2) look to rebuild after a recent loss in a regional title fight, to Jayson Vayson, as he takes on Hyogo Kimura (9-5-1, 3). Against Vayson it seemed Inoue’s lack of experience was an issue, and despite doing 8 rounds twice, he was still lacking in some areas against the talented Vayson. We expected this fight, and one or two more, to be used to develop the experience needed for Inoeu to prepare for another title bout. The 26 year old is talented, but a work in progress who needs some seasoning and some quality ring time. His issue, so far, is that his ring time hasn’t been the best, and his toughest opponents, Vayson aside, haven’t really been able to push him. Kimura The 24 year old hasn't got the best looking record, but has been mixing in and around the top of the domestic scene, with recent losses to Ryota Karimata, Goki Kobayashi, Katsuki Mori and Kenshi Noda, all very solid domestic level, or better, fighters. Kimura should offer Inoue the tough rounds he needs and be the type of test Inoue needs as he continues his professional development. A third bout of note here will see former Japanese Youth title contender Kyosuke Okamoto (8-1-1, 5), who lost to Towa Tsuji in a Japanese Youth Featherweight title fight last December, look to score is third straight win, as he takes on Satoru Hoshiba (7-9, 2). The promising Okamoto is still only 20 years old, won the All Japan Rookie of the Year in 2022 and scored a solid domestic win over Yuya Hirosa back in September, a win he is hoping to build on here. He is currently JBC and WBO Asia Pacific ranked, and at just 20 has a lot of promise to develop on, and is already showing signs of being a future fixture among the top domestic fighters. As for Hoshiba he’s a limited, but fan friendly and aggressive fighter who looks to make wars. He’s expected to struggle to get close to Okamoto, but if he can get inside this could be a real test for the much fancied Okamoto.  Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
At the legendary Korakuen Hall we get a brilliant show pitting prospects from Japan and China against each other, in what could be one of the most under-rated shows of the year. In a battle of unbeaten 23 year olds we’ll see the touted Yuichiro Taka (2-0) take on the hard hitting Lite Dawuxi (7-0, 5). Despite being without a stoppage so far Taka is highly touted and very clearly skilled, and is expected to go a very long way over the coming years. Interestingly Taka’s first two opponents were, like Dawuxi, Chinese fighters, though this is a clear step up in class for him in terms of quality of opponent and his first 8 rounder. As for Dawuxi he returns to the scene of his biggest win so far, a 2nd round TKO win over Eikichi Ueno in May. That win aside, his competition has been relatively limited, but that win did show there was something to him, and it's clear he'll be looking to build on that win over Ueno. Another very highly touted unbeaten Japanese fighter on this card is Hiroki Horiike (2-0, 2) who faces the once beaten LeQuan Wang (8-1, 5), in what may turn out to be the best bout of the show. Horiike turned pro after a stellar amateur career, and some in Japan are tipping him as a fighter who will be fast tracked to domestic and regional honours, and perhaps even a world title down the line. His first two bouts have been blow outs, and he’s barely had 3 minutes of professional experience, but has already looked like a star in the making. Wang on the other hand won his first 7 bouts at home in China before traveling to Thailand and beating Reymond Yanong, inside a round. He was beaten last time out, suffering his only loss, to Thai wonderkid Phoobadin Yoohanngoh in Dubai. Despite losing to Phoobadin, Wang showed toughness and willing, and will be putting up a much better test than anyone Horiike has faced so far. A really intriguing bout in the China vs Japan series of shows will see former Japanese amateur stand out Sento Ito (1-0, 1) take on Guangheng Luan (3-7-2). On paper this is a total mismatch, with Ito tipped to be a star and Luan sporting a record of a journeyman. In reality however we should see Ito being forced to answer a number of questions, questions that he wasn’t asked in his debut. In his debut the 19 year old Ito took out Yotin Thongkhan in just 55 seconds. Here he’s up against a Chinese tough guy who has gone 0-7-1 in his last 8, but never been stopped and has gone the distance with the likes of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Phongsaphon Panyakum and Danai Ngiabphukhiaw. Ito is expected to win, but we suspect he'll have to go rounds here, however if he can stop Luan it would be a huge statement. Another of the bouts in the China Vs Japan series of bouts will see struggling Japanese hopeful Kenshin Kidoguchi (1-1-2) take on the unbeaten Xinqiang Zhao (4-0, 2). The 25 year old Kidoguchi failed to win any of his first 3 bouts, all against unbeaten fighters, but did secure a win back in June against Sho Oba to get mark in the win column. Despite his poor looking record he is certainly not a poor fighter, and whilst he'll have some more rebuilding to do, a win here will do him the world of good. As for Zhao he made his debut in China in 2023 before reeling off 3 wins in Thailand, and won't feel too bothered by being in enemy territory here, though he will be facing his most technically complete and accomplished opponent to date in a bout that promises to be better than it looks on paper. In a notable domestic clash on this card will see Yuki Yonaha (13-6-1, 8) take on Towa Tsuji (8-1, 6), in another 8 rounder, much like the China Vs Japan bouts, in what is likely to be outshone by the other bouts but also deliver a lot of fun. Yonaha is no world beater, but is a game fighter who always tries to win, even though he has been over-matched against the likes of Jin Minamide, Tenshin Nasukawa and Juiki Tatsuyoshi in recent years. He’s technically limited, but tough and comes to fight. Tsuji on the other hand is a hard hitting 24 year old hopeful who won the Japanese Youth Featherweight title last year, and has won his last 5, with 4 of those wins coming in the first 3 rounds. This should be a very entertaining war. A second domestic clash on this card will be a rematch between Yuya Hirose (9-3-2, 4) and Kyosuke Okamoto (7-1-1, 4), in a bout that will see both men desperate to get a win and build some career momentum after recent setbacks. Hirose is a 26 year old who is 2-1-1 in his last 4, with the loss coming in 2022 to Okamoto, and whilst he is clearly more talented than his record suggests he is also inconsistent and his lack of power has made bouts closer than they needed to be. As for Okamoto he will be looking to repeat his win over Hirose and secure his second win since a 2023 loss to Towa Tsuji, in a Japanese Youth title fight. Given their history and the fact neither can afford another set back, this really could be very intriguing. Almaty, Kazakhstan We also have some interesting prospects and hopefuls in action in Kazakhstan. One of the most notable names on this show is former fringe contender Ruslan Madiyev (15-2, 6), who continues his current rebuilding process as he takes on Thai visitor Kittisak Klinson (8-1, 5). Back in 2018 Madiyev was 12-0 and a promising 25 year old. He then lost a technical decision to veteran Pablo Cesar Cano and suffered another technical decision loss to Danielito Zorrilla in March 2021. Since that loss to Zorrilla he has fought just twice, scoring a good win over Luis Hernandez Ramos and then a low key win over Juan Jimenez. He has gone from being a fringe contender to a forgotten man since the loss to Cano, losing all his career momentum. Klinson has a nice looking record, but sadly his competition has been awful so far, and, like many Thai's, he has a lack of quality to his wins. He did score a career best win last time out, beating Min Nuo in China, but this is a huge leap up in class from that bout. Another man who seemed to have early promise but has yet to fulfil it is 30 year old Chinese bor Kazakh Yelshat Nikhemttolla (19-0-1, 6), who looks to continue his unbeaten run as he takes on Muhsin Kizota (20-5, 12), from Tanzania. Nikhemttolla once seemed like he was going to make a market has tread water for much of the last 5 years wasting his prime and letting time pass him by, much like Madiyev. As for Kizota he has served a good role over the years, and has only been truly dominated a few times in his career, with only Sivenathi Nontshinga and Hasanboy Dusmatov stopping him. He lacks notable wins, but is one of the Tanzanian fighters who travels with ambition and will be hungry here, though we suspect he will also be under-sized. In an interesting looking bout we’ll see professional novice Sanatali Toltayev (1-0, 1) will take on Sardar Atakishiev (11-1, 8). Toltayev will look to impress his local fans, much like he did on his debut in June against Dmitrii Khasiev, and another win here will hopefully see his team look to fast track him. Atakishiev, from Kyrgyzstan, has been inactive for 2 years, and whilst his record does look good on paper he lacks any sort of notable win and was beaten by the limited Evgeny Smelov back in 2021. On paper this looks really good, but digging down below Atakishiev’s numbers, we get the feeling that he has been record padding and is here for a paycheck, rather than a chance to kickstart his faltering career. In another bout that looks great on paper, and should deliver, we’ll see unbeaten 23 year old punchers Nurdos Tolebay (12-0, 10) and Ulugbek Qayumboev (6-0, 5) clash in a 6 rounder at Welterweight. Tolebay is the more experienced man, with 12 bouts and 41 rounds, and he’s also going to be the man with the support in the venue, given he’s a Kazakh, but generally speaking his competition has been poor, and he's regularly been fighting at 140lbs. Qayumboev is from Uzbekistan and his 6 career bouts have lasted a total of 19 rounds notably his will be his first pro bout in over 2 years, and only his second in almost 3 and a half since beating Alexander Fedorov in a career best win. Notably whilst Tolebay has often been fighting at 140lbs Qayumboev is himself a natural Lightweight and could look under-sizedhere. Carcar Sports Complex, Carcar, Cebu, Philippines Over in the Philippines we get a relatively small card. One of the more notable bouts on this card will see the unbeaten Junibert Bantay (4-0, 1) take on Reycar Auxilio (6-3-1, 5) at Super Bantamweight. Bantay is unbeaten but has escaped with two very close wins in his first 4 bouts and it’s fair to say that he’s not yet shown himself to be clearly above his competition. As for Auxilio he has mixed results, but has fought at a higher level, has more power and will be looking to keep this out of the hands of the judges. This could be a very entertaining battle, though one that is certainly not going to get major international attention. Another notable hopeful on this show is the once beaten Jemuel Aranas (4-1, 2), who takes on the experienced, but limited, Charlie Malupangue (9-12-4, 6). Aranas is a 19 year old who debuted a year ago won his first 4, before being stopped in June this year by Roderick Bautista, in an OPBF Youth title fight, where he was genuinely destroyed, being dropped in rounds 4, 5 and 6. Given that set back it’s little wonder he’s being matched a bit softer here, and Malupangue hasn’t won a fight since 2019 and has been stopped in 5 of his last 9 bouts. This very much looks like a confidence builder for Aranas.  This coming Sunday we get 3 different cards in Japan, spread across the country.
KBS Hall, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan In Kyoto we get a card promoted by Yasushi Hirayama, and their Futur Promotions. The card features two female bouts. The main event will see 25 year old Reika Kawaguchi (5-2-2, 3) look to score her most notable win to date as she takes on veteran former world title challenger Sana Hazuki (11-8-1, 5). At her best Suzuki was a game fighter, and a good Oriental level fighter, winning the OPBF Female Minimumweight title back in 2019, sadly though since that title win she has gone 4-3, and looks like she is winding down her career, and this could be the passing of the torch bout that ends her time in the pros. As for Kawaguchi she's only really faced novices so far, and this is a huge step up in class for her, but one her team will feel she is ready for against a fighter who is slipping and aging. The other female bout will see unbeaten novices clash, as Rii Kawai (1-0, 1) takes on Sukanya Wiriya (3-0, 2), with both being unbeaten 20 year olds. Kawai made her debut in February, and impressed stopping Kei Sugimoto in the 4th round and looks to be moving quickly to a title fight, with a win over Wiriya likely to be seen as her next step towards a major fight. As for Wiriya all her wins so far have come against win-less novices, and this should be regarded as her first real test. Sangyo Hall, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan Over in Kanazawa we get a small card from Kashimi Promotions. This main attraction here is a Japan Vs Thai bout, over 8 rounds, between Hiroki Hanabusa (12-2-5, 4) and Somsak Noolae (4-2, 3). Although not a huge name Hanabusa has proven to be a solid domestic level fighter who has come up short against the excellent Toshiki Shimomachi and the dangerous Katsuya Fukui, but has scored notable wins against Kyonosuke Kameda, claiming the Japanese Youth Featherweight title with that win, and Kai Watanabe. Although no world beater, we wouldn't be surprised to see Hanabusa lift a Japanese or regional title in the future. Sadly though he has had 5 draws and does, at times, struggle to get over the line. As for Noolae he has lost 2 of his last 3, and has lost both of the bouts he's had in Japan, though it certainly not a pushover, having given Yushi Fujita a tough run in December, and also going 8 rounds against Tom Mizokoshi. Hanabusa should be too good, but we don’t expect him to blow out Noolae here. Kokura Kita Gym, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan Over in Fukuoka we’ll see a small but somewhat interesting card, headlined by a really good looking match up between a local favourite and an unbeaten Thai visitor. That headline bout will see the once beaten Misaki Hirano (9-1, 3), himself from Fukuoka prefecture, takes on Thai teenager Pongsakorn Wongwichian (6-0, 2). Hirano suffered a loss in just his second bout, losing to Hikaru Fukunaga, but since then has gone 8-0 (2) and scored solid domestic wins against Shodai Morita, Retsu Takahashi and Ryo Suwa, winning the Rookie of the Year in early 2022 and moving himself into 8 rounders in impressive fashion. He's still a work in progress but certainly seems to be heading in the right direction and looks like one of the most exciting talents in Fukuoka right now. As for Wongwichian he has, so far, been developing his skills on the Thai scene, and has looked promising so far. This is however a massive step up in class for him, and we do feel it's too much, too early, though it’ll be interesting to see how he fares here. Another Japan Vs Thailand bout on this card will see Kyosuke Okamoto (6-1-1, 3) look to bounce back from a recent loss in a Japanese Youth title fight, as he takes on heavy handed Thai Worraphon Yothika (6-3, 5). Okamoto was stopped in 3 rounds by Towa Tsuji, in a bout for the Japanese Youth Featherweight title in December, which ended a 4 fight winning run for him. Despite that loss it's way, way too early to write him off and the 20 year old is likely to take that defeat as a learning experience. For Yothika, who's also 20, his career has been that of a glass cannon, with only a single bout going the distance, a win. Notable the Thai is 0-3 in Japan, though has faced two very good fighters, in the form of Riku Masuda and the aforementioned Hiroki Hanabusa |
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