This coming Saturday attention turns to China, where we have 3 different shows. Although none are huge, all 3 are worthy of some attention.
Wuyuan River Stadium, Haikou, China The best of the 3 Chinese shows is from Haikou, where we have 3 title fights, including an excellent fight between a former world title challenger and an unbeaten Filipino visitor. The former world title challenger on this card is China’s Bin Lu (4-1, 2), who famously chased greatness by attempting to win a world title in his second professional bout, before being stopped by the excellent Carlos Canizales, who takes on Vencent Lacar (8-0, 4) in a bout for the WBC Far East and WBO Oriental Flyweight titles, both of which are currently vacant. Following his loss to Canizales, in 2018, Bin spent some time away from the ring but returned in 2022 and has reeled off 3 wins, whilst getting himself back into shape. In his ring return he was at Bantamweight, but has been working his way down the weights, with this bout set to take place at Flyweight. Bin is a very good fighter. He was a stellar amateur and had his team not sought to etch his name in the history books against Canizales there is a great chance he’d have won a world title by now. He has skills, excellent amateur experience, good speed, ring IQ and power, but was simply out gunned, out fought and broken down by Canizales, who is a truly excellent fighter. As for Lacar the unbeaten Filipino has been slowly crafting a solid record of his own, winning the PBF title in September, following a career best win over the touted Shunpei Odagiri in Japan in June. Lacar is no push over, and will be confident of picking up a second win on the road this year. This should be high quality action from the opening bell, and a great chance for the winner to move towards a world title fight, though they are probably going to want another few fights and a bit more seasoning before a bout at the top level. A second notable title fight will see the unbeaten Yongqiang Yang (16-0, 12) face off with Kazakhstan fighter Ablaikhan Khussainov (13-1, 10) fighting for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title. Aged 32 Yang has had a quiet but solid building of his record, without getting much fanfare. He debuted in 2016 and notched solid wins against Takuya Watanabe and Harmonito Dela Torre in 2018, before adding wins against Ernie Sanchez and JR Magboo. His last 3 wins over been less notable, but he and his team will be looking at this as a chance to take a huge step towards a major bout. He's tough, strong, has decent power, and whilst he is flawed defensively, he seems to have a solid and a real desire to win. Sadly at the age of 32 we do wonder whether father time will start to catch up with Yang soon. As for Khussainov, the 33 year old is fighting for the second time in 18 months, following his loss in Russia to Artur Subkhankulov. At one point he was part of a contingent of Canadian based Kazakh fighters, but that agreement has ended and his last 5 bouts, dating back 5 years, have been outside of Canada. At his best he looked like someone with the potential to make a mark on the world rankings. In recent years however inactivity, a lack of real desire and a loss to Artur Subkhankulov, have really ended any idea of his making a mark at a higher level. Despite both men being the wrong side of 30 we see them as being well matched, and this should be a great fight, even if neither man really has the tools, or time, to make a mark at world level A third title bout on this card will see Chinese puncher ZhiGang Zhang (8-2-1, 6) take on unbeaten Filipino Alfred Deano (13-0-1, 10), with the men facing off for the WBC Far East Super Featherweight title. The 30 year old Zhang has had 11 bouts and 47 rounds, with only 2 contests going the distance. He started his career with two early losses, being stopped in round 3 in both, but has now gone 9 fighters unbeaten. Sadly his most notable wins have come in Thailand, where he has beaten Wicha Phulaikhao, Conrado Tanamor and Campee Phayom. Notably his draw, which occurred last time out, against Rhonvex Capuloy, was a 6th round technical draw, also for the WBC Far East Super Featherweight title. As for Deano, he fought to a draw on his debut, and has run up a good looking record, though has mostly been fighting at Bantamweight and lacks any wins of real note. To date his biggest win has been a KO over Bryan Macamay, more than a decade ago, where he failed to make weight for the bout. On paper this looks competitive, but in reality it’s hard to imagine the naturally smaller Deano extending his unbeaten record here. MGM hotel, Shanghai, China We get more title action in Shanghai, albeit at a much lower level than the Lu Vs Lacar and Yang Vs Khussainov bouts. The title bout on this card will see Chinese based British fighter Ellie Bouttell (3-0-1) take on once beaten Indian fighter Renu Phogat (6-1,2) for the lightly regarded WBC Far East female Bantamweight title, with the two fighting to become the inaugural champion. Boutell, who has fought her entire career in China, is part of the M23 Boxing Club, which has led the likes of Can Xu and Wulan Tuolehazi to major international fights. She is somewhat unproven, but is slowly making a name for herself in China, with this being her 5th bout in a little under a year. As for Phogat who's also fighting for the 5th time in 12 months, this bout will be her second outside of India, as she looks to rebuild following a loss to Seren Cetin in Türkiye, in October. Interestingly Phogat will be fighting at a career lowest for the bout, at Bantamweight, having previously fought as high as Welterweight early in her career. A second notable bout on this card will see unbeaten teenage puncher Saipaier Rouzi (3-0-0-1, 3) take on Yihao Wang (13-4, 8). All 3 of Rouzi’s wins have come in the first round, however they have come against rank novices, and it's hard to get any sort of a read on him from those bouts. Aged just 19 however we’re interested to see how he fares here in a notable step up. Yihao Wang, who has been stopped in 3 of his 4 losses, is unbeaten in more than 5 years, and after a faltering start, going 5-4 (1) in his first 9 has found his groove, winning his last 8, with 7 of those wins coming early. Notably that winning run has been, mostly against limited foes, with Keon Woo Kim being the best of them, and the most recent win coming more than a year ago. Still this is a good step up for Rouzi and a win here could, hopefully, open the doors for him to move towards regional level title fights. Qidong Sport center, Nantong, China The least notable of the Chinese acton comes from Nantong, in a show that really feels like it could be one that’s easy to ignore in favour of the other two, much more interesting looking, shows. One of the bigger bouts on this card will see local fighter Min Nuo (8-4, 4) face off with visiting Thai Anuson Thonglueang (21-5-1, 16) is a pretty solid looking 8 rounder. Nuo is a 25 year old with some international experience,. having fought in both South Korea and Thailand, along with his native China. His most noteworthy bouts so far are early losses to Abdurasul Ismoilov and LeQuan Wang, which seem to suggest he is some way short of top regional level. Aged just 20 Thonglueang is looking to have his 5th bout of the year, and score his first win away from home, having been stopped in Kazakhstan and Australia earlier this year. Prior to 2024 he had also lost in all his other bouts on foreign soil, being stopped in Vietnam and out-pointed in Japan, with this now being his fifth fight on the road, and perhaps his best chance to pick up a win away from home. The other bout of note is a 10 rounder as local fighter Abulimiti Tuersunniyazi (10-4-2, 7) takes on Filipino visitor Ador Torres (12-5-1, 8), who we believe is a late replacement for Elmo Traya (14-5, 9). The 33 year old Tuersunniyazi has been a professional since 2015 and whilst he has faced some notable domestic fighters, such as Youli Dong and Cheng Su, he has never really beaten anyone of any note, at all. His 10 wins have been against low level imports or inexperienced domestic fighters, and it seems clear his career isn’t going far. As for Torres, the Filipino is an upset minded fighter, who has spent the last few years fighting mostly in Thailand, where he won and defended a low level Welterweight title. He is 8-1 in his last 9, with the one loss coming in September to the fast rising Kosei Nogami, in Japan, with that bout proving that Torres was tough as he lasted the 8 rounds with Nogami. Interestingly, the winner here will have scored their career best win. Nova Boxing Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea As well as the action in China we also get a low level show in Incheon, South Korea, as the Nova Boxing Gym put on a show packed with 4 rounders. The one bout scheduled for more than 4 rounds is a 6 rounder, as Hyung Shin Chae (4-3, 1) takes on Woo Sung Kim (3-2, 2), in what should be a fan friendly, low level, fighter between two men with defensive issues. Chase, the more experienced man, has been stopped in his last 2, including a Korean title, both this year. Notably in just 7 bouts he has faced 6 unbeaten men, including a debutant, with only one of his 7 opponents having had a loss. As for Kim, his opponents have been less promising, though he did score his biggest win to date in October, when he stopped the experienced Chul Woo Yoon in 5 rounds. For fans of low level wars, this show should be fun, but it will be low level action, with flawed, crude, novices.
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Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
This coming Tuesday we get a Japanese domestic card with two really interesting bouts on it. One between two highly ranked domestic contenders, and one featuring a novice taking on a regionally ranked contender. The novice in question is the very highly regarded Kosei Nogami (2-0, 2) who takes on WBO Asia Pacific ranked Filipino Ador Torres (12-4-1, 8) in a Welterweight bout. Nogami made his debut last year and has taken a combined 4 rounds to stop his first two opponents, from South Korea and Thailand, but is stepping up massively here. Aged 23 and coming in on the back of a 49-18 amateur record Nogami is seen as one of the few Japanese Welterweights, or Light Welterweights, who could be moved aggressively and this is really shown here in the matchmaking of this bout. As for Torres, he struggled early in his career, going 4-4-1 in his first 9 but since then has won 8 in a row, winning and defending the Asian Boxing Federation Welterweight title along the way. Torres lacks a notable win, but has done enough to earn his regional ranking, which Nogami will certainly be wanting to claim here. The other notable bout, the main event in fact, will see the JBC #4 and #5 ranked Super Flyweights face off as Mirai Imagawa (13-6-1, 5) takes on Kyotaro Yoshida (4-3, 1). Of the two men Imagawa is comfortably the more experienced, with this being his 21st professional bout, and whilst he failed to win either of his last two he has scored good domestic wins against the likes of Kento Yabusaki, Yuji Okinori and won the All Japan Rookie of the Year back in 2017. As for Yoshida he was a notable amateur who hasn’t found success in the professional ranks but has been matched hard throughout, with losses to the likes of Ryutaro Nakagaki and Ryo Mandokoro, as well as a recent win against veteran Phissanu Chimsunthom. Ladgaron Gym, Claver, Surigao del Norte, Philippines Over in the Philippines we get something of a disappointing bout, but one that does feature a genuinely promising Filipino prospect who has stepped up in recent bouts and impressed. The prospect in question is Vencent Lacar (7-0, 3), who has just ended the unbeaten runs of Jemar Layom and Shunpei Odagiri, both then 4-0, with wins in 8 rounders. Sadly rather than continue to take on well regarded hopefuls he is stepping back a few levels, in what is more of a stay busy fight as he takes on Jason Mopon (11-19, 1). The one positive to take from this bout is that it will be Lacar’s first 10 rounder, and whilst Mopon has been stopped in 11 of his 19 losses it’s fair to say that Lacar lacks power, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him score his 4th pro stoppage. Liloan Sports Complex, Liloan, Philippines
We get a really interesting card in the Philippines, with several notable bouts on it, both featuring unbeaten prospects in very notable steps up in class. One of the bouts will see Albert Francisco (12-0, 8) risk his unbeaten record against the once beaten Mark Vicelles (18-1-1, 11), in a mouth watering clash at Flyweight. Francisco is a 24 year old southpaw who has looked impressive since starting his career, but lacks a stand out win to put himself on to the fringes of the world scene. He'll know a win here will do just that and put him in the mix for big international fights. Vicelles on the other hand who has looked impressive since starting his career, but lacks a stand out win to put himself on to the fringes of the world scene. He'll know a win here will do just that and put him in the mix for big international fights. Given this is southpaw Vs southpaw this could be messy at times, but is clearly a really meaningful match up. Another unbeaten hopeful on this show is Arvin Jhon Paciones (8-0, 5), who is risking his unbeaten record against former world champion Rene Mark Cuarto (22-5-2, 12). For the 19 year old Paciones, a Vietnamese based Filipino, this is a huge leap up in class, and whilst he has been impressive, and scoring notable wins on the road in Vietnam and Thailand, but one that his team will probably feel he's ready for. Part of why Paciones team will feel their man is ready for Cuarto, is Cuarto’s own form, which has seen him losing 3 of his 5 bouts since winning the world title in 2022, and being stopped in 2 of his last 3. He's not old, at just 27, but does appear to have a lot of ring miles on the clock from the last few years. Cuarto can’t afford another loss, and a Pacioned will know a win rapidly sees his standing in the sport improve, and put him in, or around, the world rankings. The card also features two Japanese fighters making their international debuts. One of those is hard hitting Kakeru Mashimo (8-0, 6) who takes on former world ranked fighter Jason Canoy Manigos (28-12-2, 19). This is a huge step up for Mashimo, but one his team will feel comfortable with, with Canoy losing 5 of his last 6 and only having a single win since 2018, though regularly being competitive in his losses. This should be a good test for Mashimo, but a test he passes, despite maybe a rocky moment or two. The other is former amateur stand out Hiroki Horiike (1-0, 1), who made his debut in April. He will be expected to pick up an easy win here as he takes on 35 year old veteran Ryan Maano (6-19-2, 2). On paper this looks pointless, but Maano has proven himself as a stalwart on the Filipino scene, and has been in with a who's who, since his 2011 debut. In recent years he's been fighting outside of his best weight class, but will be expected to show Horiike a few veteran moves as the youngster looks to gain some valuable experience away from Japan. Hiokayama Gymnasium, Kakogawa, Hyogo, Japan We get another interesting show in Japan, as JM Kakogawa Promotions put on a card with two really good match ups on it, even if one might not look amazing on paper. The best looking bout on the card will see Filipino fighter Vencent Lacar (6-0, 3) take on Shunpei Odagiri (4-0, 2) in a battle of unbeaten hopefuls, both of whom will likely go into this knowing a win will boost them towards a regional title fight. Lacar made his debut in late 2022 and had an excellent 2023, picking up 4 wins including taking the unbeaten record of Jemar Layom and winning the MinProBA Flyweight title. Odagiri, an experienced former Japanese amateur fighter, who has impressed since turning professional, and looks like someone being fast tracked. On paper Lacar is a step up for the Japanese fighter, but the 24 year old from Hyogo will feel confident of coming out on top here, and racing towards a title fight in the next 12-18 months. The second bout of note on this card will see experienced former amateur Ryusei Baba (3-2, 1), who hasn’t had the success many tipped him to have in the pros, take on 2018 All Japan Rookie of the Year winner Yoshiki Minato (11-6, 6), in what has the potential to be a very good technical fight. Baba was a very good amateur who lost 2 of his first three, one being a highly controversial decision in the Philippines and the other being a TKO loss to the hard hitting Sugo Namura. Since then however he has scored 2 solid domestic wins, and will feel that another win here will see him begin to prove himself as a professional, something we genuinely expect to see him do over the coming years. As for Minato he was once 8-1, but has gone 3-5 in his last 8 whilst facing the likes of Seigo Yuri Akui, Joe Shirashi, Taku Kuwahara and Masayoshi Hashizume. He's a solid boxer, but it does feel like his career is already starting to fall apart, and he's never come close to building on his 2020 upset win over Kohei Oba, who looked a shadow of the fighter he had once been. Wat Pak Bo School, Suan Luang, Bangkok, Thailand We also have a show in Thailand, with two minor regional title bouts on it. One of the title bouts will see Chinese fighter ShaoKang Huang (5-3, 3) take on Vietnamese fighter Phu Thuy Nguyen (2-4, 2), in a bout for the Asian Boxing Federation title at 140lbs. Nguyen, who is 32, debuted way back in 2016, fell to 0-2 before taking more than 5 years away from the ring. He returned in 2023 and has gone 2-2 (2) since then, beating two opponents without a win, and losing to men who had previously scored wins. Huang, who also had a stop start career, debuting in 2018, spending a year out then having an almost 4 year break, has been particularly active since July 2023, going 4-2 in less than a year. Sadly he was beaten last time out, with Chan Sala stopping him in 4 rounds, though that was at Welterweight, which isn't his natural weight. The other title bout is a really odd one and will see 34 year old Chinese fighter Yifeng Zhang (5-6, 3), take on 42 year old former world title challenger Wicha Phulaikhao (64-28-2, 18), with the men battling for the Asian Boxing Federation title at Super Featherweight. Zhang made his debut in 2012, and has had a career with several multi-year breaks in activity, though is on something of a busy run with this being his 4th fight in just over 8 months. However they have all been at a very, very low level in Gym fights in Thailand. The 42 year old Phulaikhao, who debuted in 1999, is almost 14 years removed from his most notable career bout, a loss in a fight for the WBA Minimumweight title. After that world title bout he sported a 42-6-2 records, but since then he has gone 22-22, moved way up the weights from Minimumweight and been stopped a frankly ridiculous 18 times, including his last 5 bouts, and 6 times in the last 12 months. Phulaikhao doesn’t really fight to win any more, and we wouldn’t be surprised at all by another stoppage loss for him here. Nova Boxing Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea Staying in Asia, we also get a small Gym show in South Korea, with most of the bouts on the card being 4 rounders. Whilst much of the card is 4 rounders, there is an 8 rounder on the show, as Uzbekistani Sirochbek Ismoilov (4-0, 1) takes on limited Indian Sunil Kumar (3-5, 3). The 21 year old Kumar was 3-1 (3) after 4 bouts, but has now lost his last 4 and has been stopped in his last two bouts. He's young, and could improve, but we're certainly not expecting him to go far, and feel those 4 recent losses show not just where he is now, but also his longer term potential. Ismoilov on the other hand is a 23 year old who debuted last year, and despite going the distance in his first 3 bouts, appeared to find some belief in his power last time out, as he blew away Bhinder Singh inside a round. It wouldn’t be a shock at all to se another early win for Ismoilov here. Olympia, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom We also have a bout with Asian interest in the UK as unbeaten English fighter Jack Rafferty (22-0, 13) takes on Indian fighter Sabari Jaishankar (11-2, 5) in a bout for the IBO Inter Continental Welterweight title. The 28 year old Rafferty has a very good looking record, having run out to 22-0 since his October 2017 debut, but scratching below the numbers, it does appar Rafferty has been matched very softly so far whilst fighting between 140lbs and 154lbs. He certainly has plenty of promise, but it does feel like he needs a step up sooner rather than later and his competition has been very poor. Jaishankar, who is surprisingly well traveled with bouts in Australia, Tanzania, Turkey and Thailand as well as his native India, lacks wins of any note, but has done well since a loss on debut, and his only other loss came last year in Turkey at 154lbs against Fatih Keles. Rafferty should win, but this should be seen as a small step up for him. Don Francisco Kikoy Bagol Sports Complex, Alegria, Surigao del Norte, Philippines
The most notable Asian show this coming Sunday is from the Philippines, where we get the most interesting of 3 low level Asian events. The most interesting of the bouts on the show will see the unbeaten Vencent Lacar (6-0, 3) take on the highly experienced Clyde Azarcon (17-10-1, 6). Lacar has looked like a genuine prospect, and has a stellar 2023, winning 4 bouts, claiming a MinProBA title and taking the unbeaten record of Jemar Layon. He has been impressive, but is still a professional novice and clearly a work in progress. The 29 year old Azarcon was once 15-2-1, but since losing to Ginjiro Shigeoka in 2019 we’ve seen his career really fall apart, going 2-7, with 7 straight stoppage losses coming into this bout. He looks to be a shadow of the fighter who gave Rene Mark Cuarto a close bout in 2018 and we’d be surprised if he puts up any sort of a real fight here. In a far more interesting looking bout Angelo Beltran (9-2, 7) will clash with the once beaten Christian Jude Capuno (6-1, 2). The 23 year old Beltran, dubbed The Axe Boy, is seeking to build on a March win over Jeny Boy Boca, and score his second win since a 2023 loss to the popular Dana Coolwell in Australia. He is no world beater, but is heavy handed and fun to watch, especially at this level. As for Capuno he has won his last 4 and will be hoping to keep that momentum going here, though this is a notable step up from his record bouts, with Beltran being a bit more than a warm body, like some of Capuno's opponents. Sangyo Shinko Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan In Japan we get a low level card that looks poor on paper, but should deliver some really interesting action. The main event will see JBC ranked Flyweight Shota Asami (11-12, 6) take on Kazunori Yorimasa (6-9-4, 2). On paper this is certainly not a great match up, but quite often we find that just looking at records is hugely misleading and lacks the nuance of the fighters involved, their styles, and their ability to fight. Asami is the favourite, and is the current #6 ranked JBC ranked Flyweight, though that is mostly on the back of his huge 2022 upset win over Ryota Karimata, and since that bout he has gone 1-2, and is actually 2-4 in his last 6. Definitely not a world beater but a capable fighter. Yorimasa on the other hand is a lively fighter who's better than his record suggests, and will looking to score an upset. He's not the best or a big puncher, but his fights are typically fun as he looks to get inside and make things into a war. Another bout on this card will see once beaten puncher Shoma Yano (7-1, 6) take on Fumisuke Kimura (9-11-1, 6). Yano has bounced back well since his only loss, winning 3 in a row, including his first Class A bout back in November. He's only 25 and certainly has the tools to become a notable contender on the domestic stage, though he still has a lot of work to get there he is currently a JBC ranked fighter and looks to be on his way to a potential title fight. As for Kimura the 36 year old has seen his career totally fall apart, going 0-7-1 in his last 8 and he's now 5 years removed from his last win. Whilst he has fought at a high domestic level, facing the likes of Riku Nagahama, Andy Hiraoka, Takeru Kobata and Aso Ishiwaki, it does seem clear that his limitations are now well known, and a win here would be a major upset. Grassroot Boxing Academy, Bangalore, India We also get some low level action in India, which is still not yet really seeing the boxing scene in the country taking off, but we’re still seeing the baby steps needed to lay down the foundations of a domestic scene, and given the population of the country we do expect those foundations to pay off, one day. One of the more interesting bouts on the card sees unbeaten men face off as Mohammed Irfan Hafergulla (1-0-1, 1) clashes with N Kishore Kumar (1-0, 1) in a 6 round bout at Welterweight, a division that we don’t expect to see many Indian fighters at. Hafergulla made his debut in March 2023, with a win, but was held to a draw in his second bout and it'll be good to see what he's learned from that experience. Kumar on the other hand debuted in December with a win, and will be looking to build on that recent victory. In a Super Bantamweight bout Manikandan V (5-3, 2) will face Jitendra Yadav (1-0), in another 6 rounder. The 29 year old Manikandan is one of the most experienced fighters on the show, but has been shown his level, with several losses on his record already. Yadav on the other hand made his debut in March 2022, and will be returning to the ring after 2 years out of the ring, and it’ll be interesting to see what ring rust he has here. Don Francisco Kikoy Bagol Sports Complex, Alegria, Surigao del Norte, Philippines
The most notable Asian show this coming Sunday is from the Philippines, where we get the most interesting of 3 low level Asian events. The most interesting of the bouts on the show will see the unbeaten Vencent Lacar (6-0, 3) take on the highly experienced Clyde Azarcon (17-10-1, 6). Lacar has looked like a genuine prospect, and has a stellar 2023, winning 4 bouts, claiming a MinProBA title and taking the unbeaten record of Jemar Layon. He has been impressive, but is still a professional novice and clearly a work in progress. The 29 year old Azarcon was once 15-2-1, but since losing to Ginjiro Shigeoka in 2019 we’ve seen his career really fall apart, going 2-7, with 7 straight stoppage losses coming into this bout. He looks to be a shadow of the fighter who gave Rene Mark Cuarto a close bout in 2018 and we’d be surprised if he puts up any sort of a real fight here. In a far more interesting looking bout Angelo Beltran (9-2, 7) will clash with the once beaten Christian Jude Capuno (6-1, 2). The 23 year old Beltran, dubbed The Axe Boy, is seeking to build on a March win over Jeny Boy Boca, and score his second win since a 2023 loss to the popular Dana Coolwell in Australia. He is no world beater, but is heavy handed and fun to watch, especially at this level. As for Capuno he has won his last 4 and will be hoping to keep that momentum going here, though this is a notable step up from his record bouts, with Beltran being a bit more than a warm body, like some of Capuno's opponents. Sangyo Shinko Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan In Japan we get a low level card that looks poor on paper, but should deliver some really interesting action. The main event will see JBC ranked Flyweight Shota Asami (11-12, 6) take on Kazunori Yorimasa (6-9-4, 2). On paper this is certainly not a great match up, but quite often we find that just looking at records is hugely misleading and lacks the nuance of the fighters involved, their styles, and their ability to fight. Asami is the favourite, and is the current #6 ranked JBC ranked Flyweight, though that is mostly on the back of his huge 2022 upset win over Ryota Karimata, and since that bout he has gone 1-2, and is actually 2-4 in his last 6. Definitely not a world beater but a capable fighter. Yorimasa on the other hand is a lively fighter who's better than his record suggests, and will looking to score an upset. He's not the best or a big puncher, but his fights are typically fun as he looks to get inside and make things into a war. Another bout on this card will see once beaten puncher Shoma Yano (7-1, 6) take on Fumisuke Kimura (9-11-1, 6). Yano has bounced back well since his only loss, winning 3 in a row, including his first Class A bout back in November. He's only 25 and certainly has the tools to become a notable contender on the domestic stage, though he still has a lot of work to get there he is currently a JBC ranked fighter and looks to be on his way to a potential title fight. As for Kimura the 36 year old has seen his career totally fall apart, going 0-7-1 in his last 8 and he's now 5 years removed from his last win. Whilst he has fought at a high domestic level, facing the likes of Riku Nagahama, Andy Hiraoka, Takeru Kobata and Aso Ishiwaki, it does seem clear that his limitations are now well known, and a win here would be a major upset. Grassroot Boxing Academy, Bangalore, India We also get some low level action in India, which is still not yet really seeing the boxing scene in the country taking off, but we’re still seeing the baby steps needed to lay down the foundations of a domestic scene, and given the population of the country we do expect those foundations to pay off, one day. One of the more interesting bouts on the card sees unbeaten men face off as Mohammed Irfan Hafergulla (1-0-1, 1) clashes with N Kishore Kumar (1-0, 1) in a 6 round bout at Welterweight, a division that we don’t expect to see many Indian fighters at. Hafergulla made his debut in March 2023, with a win, but was held to a draw in his second bout and it'll be good to see what he's learned from that experience. Kumar on the other hand debuted in December with a win, and will be looking to build on that recent victory. In a Super Bantamweight bout Manikandan V (5-3, 2) will face Jitendra Yadav (1-0), in another 6 rounder. The 29 year old Manikandan is one of the most experienced fighters on the show, but has been shown his level, with several losses on his record already. Yadav on the other hand made his debut in March 2022, and will be returning to the ring after 2 years out of the ring, and it’ll be interesting to see what ring rust he has here. |
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