December 14th-Akhmadaliev headlines in Monaco, Japanese action in Osaka and Aichi

12/10/2024

Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
The most significant bout of the day, featuring an Asian, comes from Monaco, where former unified Super Bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9) takes on Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-4, 25) for the, frankly ridiculous, honour of becoming the WBA interim Super Bantamweight champion, and the more notable honour of becoming Naoya Inoue’s first mandatory of 2025. The talented, yet frustrating, Akhmadaliev has only fought once since losing the WBA and IBF titles to Marlon Tapales, back in April 2013, and that was one bout was almost a year ago, when he beat Kevin Gonzalez. He has killed any momentum his career once had and accumulated some serious ring rust whilst sitting on the side, waiting for a fight to come to him, rather than chase the fights. He’s talented, heavy handed, and has a solid record, with wins against Daniel Roman, Ryosuke Iwasa and Ronny Rios, among others, but it does feel like he’s wasted the last 18 months. As for Franco, the Mexican is somewhat unheralded, dangerous and could be a banana skin if "MJ" overlooks him. He's not a world beater, but wins over Brandon Valdes and Yeison Vargas show he's not against upsetting fighters, and losses to John Riel Casimero and Daniel Roman showed he was a capable fighter, despite losses in both of those bouts. Akhmadaliev should win, but this might be a good work out for him, before a potential showdown with the Monster next year.

Real questions do, however, need to be asked of the WBA who have brought their “interim” titles roading back, in ridiculous fashion, given the WBA’s main title will have been fought for 4 times between December 26th 2023 and December 24th 2024. A simply ridiculous move by the World Boxing Association.

EDION Arena Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
At the EDION Arena Osaka we get one of two very good Japanese shows, with this one being streamed on Youtube courtesy of Television OSAKA NEWS.

The main event of the shows sees one of the brightest talents in Osaka looks to unify titles against an unbeaten Filipino looking to make a name for himself. The local youngster in is WBC Youth Light Flyweight champion Yuga Ozaki (7-0-1, 5), who looks to add the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title to his collection as he takes on Filipino Archiel Villamor (8-0, 4). Ozaki really does look like one of the future stars of Japan, with incredible speed, nasty power and great selection, with notable wins already over Clyde Azarcon, Sitthisak Simsri, Kenshi Noda and Kitidech Hirunsuk. Not only is he a fast rising fighter at 108lbs, who could well land a world title fight next year, but he also impressed when he moved up in weight and dominated Shota Asami in September. He might not be quite ready for a world title fight, but it really feels like it’s only a matter of time. As for Villamor, the unbeaten Filipino should not be viewed as an easy target. In just 8 fights he has beaten opponents with a combined 32-13-4 record, including 6 fighters with winning records. Whilst his opponents aren’t as well known as Ozaki’s they do include Helario Genanda, then 6-0, and 3 wins over Harry Omac. He’ll be there to win and could end up asking questions of Ozaki, but is unlikely to be a real threat to the Japanese star.

Sadly the other notable bouts on this card, which all feature talented Japanese fighters, appear to be mismatches against limited Thais. The worst of this will see the once beaten Takahiro Tai (7-1, 7) take on Marudet Chinsukeeporn (3-4, 3), with Tai expected to smash through Marudet in quick fashion, and give him his 4th stoppage loss. Tai This is Tai's 4th straight bout against a Thai opponent, and in reality his team needs to start matching him with better opponents, and perhaps even some domestic tests, something they've avoided since his 2021 loss to Fumiya Fuse.

Following his first loss Shunpei Odagiri (4-1, 2) has got an easy confidence builder, as he faces Anantachai Duanyai (3-2, 2), in what really should be an easy win for the talented Odagiri. Likewise Shinsei Otani (9-2, 6) shouldn’t be tested by Surasak Chumkaew (4-2, 3), who has never scored a win against a fighter with a win, being stopped the two times he faced fighters of any quality. Otani has scored 2 wins this year, following a loss in March, and should be taking on stiffer tests than this, especially given his performance last year against Kai Watanabe.

International Conference Hall, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
As well as the show in Osaka, there is also a pretty notable one in Aichi, as we see one of the region's most promising fighters look to bounce from his fist loss, as well as two JBC ranked fighters on the under-card.

The main event features second generation fighter Kento Hatanaka (15-1, 10), the son of former world champion Kiyoshi Hatanaka, take on Thai visitor Weerawat Noolae (6-2, 3), with Hatanaka looking to rebuild following a loss to Thananchai Charunphak, back in August. The talented Hatanaka was looking to record his first defense of the WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight title, and whilst the loss to Thananchai was a set back, we all saw that it was no fluke when Thananchai pushed WBA world champion Seigo Yuri Akui all the way back in October. Thananchai’s performance against Akui should give Hatanaka the feeling that he’s pretty much fringe world level, at worst, and he should take home a win here. Noolae on the other hand is somewhat a popular fighter with Japanese promoters as he always gives an honest effort, though has lost in his previous visits to the county, losing a decision to Reo Nishioka and then being stopped in 4 rounds by Seiya Tsutusmi, prior to Tsutusmi's recent WBA Bantamweight title win. Noolae is expected to go rounds, give a fair account, but come up short as Hatanaka gets back to winning ways.

On the under-card we’ll see JBC ranked Flyweight Ryo Sakai (7-1, 3) look to continue his current winning run, which includes winning the 2023 All Japan Rookie of the Year and beating Shunpei Kubo, as he takes on Daichi Morino (5-5, 3) . Agd just 21 Sakai has had a remarkable couple of years, following a loss in 2022 to Jin Nikaido. He has won his last 5, with the wins over Kubo and Ryunosuke Takaguma being particularly notable ones, and appears to be developing into a real talent, who builds everything off the basics. This will however be his first bout against a southpaw, something Morino will look to make the most of, with the 31 year old Morino looking to end a 4 fight losing run, though he has fought at a good level during that run with losses to Yoshiki Minato and Akira Hosuyama during that stretch. Sadly for Morino his losing streak has really killed the momentum he had been building, when he had reeled off 5 straight wins. This appears to be more about getting Sakai some ring time with a southpaw than giving him a real test.

Potentially the standout bout on the show will see JBC ranked Super Flyweight Yasuhiro Kanzaki (10-3-1, 2) take on the unbeaten Otoya Inuzuka (8-0-1, 4) in a very god looking 8 rounder. The 24 year old Kanzaki can feel aggrieved to have 2 of his losses, both by razor thin split decision including on in the All Japan Rookie of the Year final, whilst his most recent loss came to the hard hitting Ryota Yamauchi in June, and Yamamuchi is very dangerous at this level. That loss ended a 4 fight winning run for Kanzaki who had claimed the JBC Youth title in June 2022. Aged 22 Inuzuka, an Aichi native, has been slowly putting together a decent record, taking good wins over Riku Yamashita and Yuto Oki this year, and will know that whilst he is the under-dog here a win would give his career a massive shot in the arm, and move him into the rankings. Although not a pure puncher he is maturing and his last two wins, his best two to date, both came early, suggesting he is, possibly, maturing into his power.

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June 7th-Title action in Korea!

6/3/2024

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Fashion Center Event Hall, Seoul, South Korea
The most notable Asian show of the day takes place in South Korea, as The Won Promotion put on a title triple header in the Korean capital.

The main event of the day will see Daishi Nagata (19-3-2, 6) defending his WBO Asia Pacific title at 140lbs, as he takes on unbeaten Korean challenger Yong Wook Kim (6-0, 4). The unified regional champion, who won’t be defending his OPBF title here, is looking for his first defense of the belt he won in February, when he beat Koki Inoue, and will also be looking to secure a win on his international debut. Interestingly this is only Nagata's second bout outside of Korakuen Hall, with his debut coming at the Adachi Ward Sogo Sports Center back in 2014 against Takeshi Inoue. As for the challenger As for the 28 year old challenger this is actually his 4th bout at the Fashion Center Event Hall and is a major step up, though he is a former Korean champion at 154lbs and may feel the move to 140lbs will leave him as the bigger, stronger man in the ring.

In a supporting bout we'll see another title bout, as unbeaten fighters Yoon Tak (5-0, 5) and Hyun Jin Moon (5-0-1, 5) battle for the Korean title at 140lbs, with Tak making his first defense of the belt. Tak, who debuted in February 2023, has scored 5 wins in a combined 14 rounds and won the belt in March when he beat Hyng Shin Chae. His rise through the domestic ranks has been rapid, but in some ways it does show the lack of depth on the Korean scene. As for Moon this will be his first bout scheduled for more than 6 rounds, but much like Tak, he's rarely needed rounds with his 5 wins coming in 14 rounds, though he did have a 6 round draw in his third bout, against Hwang Kook Je. Notably he has only had 2 rounds since 2020, with those rounds coming in March when he beat Eun Sang Han. We do wonder about Moon’s ring rust coming into this, and certainly do not expect it to go the distance.

The other title bout on this card is much less intriguing on paper, as Gyeong Min Kang (3-4, 2) and Se Yul Yang (5-8-2, 2) face off for the vacant Korea title at 154lbs. Coming in to this one, both men have sketchy form and whilst it is hard to pick a winner, it’s also fair to say that neither will be making an impression above domestic level, and even their success on the domestic stage could be limited.

Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Whilst the card in Korea is certainly a notable one we also get a show in Japan. This one is a stronger card overall, but doesn’t have the same highs as the Korean show.

One of the main bouts here will see former world title challenger Ryota Yamauchi (11-3, 10) battle against the light punching Yasuhiro Kanzaki (10-2-1, 2). Although Yamauchi is the bigger puncher and the more proven fighter, it’s fair to say that Kanzaki will go into this with plenty of confidence, winning his last 4, and claiming the Japanese Youth Super Flyweight title. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the winner of this fight for a regional, or national, title by the end of the year.

A second solid match up on this show will see the always fun to watch Japanese Brazilian Cristiano Aoqui (16-11-2, 11) take on the light punching Ryan Joshua Yamamoto (7-5, 1) in what is likely to be Aoqui’s aggression against the skills of Yamamoto in what should be a very interesting 8 rounder.

This card also features two Heavyweight bouts, over 4 rounds, featuring novices, as the Japanese Heavyweight scene begins to warm up slightly. The bouts in question will see Ikemen DK (0-0) take on Japanese based American Ron Wilburn (0-0), in an all debutant bout, and Yuki Taito (0-1) take on Takeru Shimo (0-0).

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June 29th-Title double header at Korakuen Hall

6/26/2022

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Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
This coming Wednesday we get the next notable card from Ohashi Gym, who have a mouth watering card with two title bouts and a host of young, emerging, prospects.

The main event will see unbeaten fighter Masayoshi Hashizume (19-0-2, 11) look to make his first defense of the WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight title, as he takes on former 3 weight world champion Kosei Tanaka (16-1, 9), in what is an incredibly important bout for both men. Hashizume scored his most notable win last time out, when he took a decision over Akio Furutani to claim the WBO Asia Pacific and OPBF titles, and despite long being touted as one to watch he still lacks that B+ type win. A win he however would change that massively, and would really help him establish himself as a legitimate contender on the world stage. As for Tanaka this will be his second bout since losing to Kazuto Ioka at the end of 2020, and will see him looking to build on his 2021 win over Sho Ishida. Notably this will only be Tanaka's second bout at Korakuen Hall, and will see him return to the venue where he claimed his first professional title, way back in October 2014. He'll go in to this knowing he needs a win if he's to get a second shot at a Super Flyweight world title, and the pressure is all on Tanaka, despite the fact he's the challenger. Our preview of this bout can be read here Tanaka challenges regional champion Hashizume!

The other title bout on this card will see Yoshiki Minato (10-5, 5) and Yasuhiro Kanzaki (7-2-1, 2) battle for the Japanese Youth Super Flyweight title. Coming in to this we have seen Minato really struggling, losing 4 of his last 6 including one to Masayoshi Hashizume last year, though he is a talent and aged just 23 we wouldn't write him off at all. Sadly though he does need time to build so momentum and his 2020 win over Kohei Oba is easily forgotten now. As for Kanzaki he's 21 years old and reached the All Japan Rookie of the Year final in 2020, losing in the final to Akira Hoshuyama. Despite that loss he showed the level he can compete at and he should come into this bout thinking this is his time to shine. Going in to this we expect to see both men putting on a great show in what should be a very good technical bout between two talented youngster looking to make their mark on the sport. Our preview of this bout can be read here Minato and Kanzaki battle for Japanese Youth title

The leading support bout from the under-card will see the touted Keisuke Matsumoto (4-0, 4) look to extend his perfect record as he faces his first international opponent, Thailand's Nakharin Hangyu (4-1, 2). The promising Matsumoto looks like a kid with natural power, and very good size, but we're still yet to see anything close to he can really deliver and he is clearly a work in progress, albeit a very advanced work in progress and more well developed than most 4-0 fighters. The Thai visitor is someone who's untested, and is taking a big step up here, and we don't expect him to offer much competition to someone with the promise of Matsumoto.

In another notable under-card bout Japanese ranked 154lb hopeful Rikuto Adachi (16-3, 12) taking on Hisashi Kato (10-10-2, 6). Aged 24 Adachi has time on his hands, and even with 3 losses to his name there is no reason to write him off, though he is very much a work in progress and really needs to develop defensively given his last 2 losses have both come by stoppage. He is someone with a lot of potential, but his team do need to let him develop slowly, and he needs to be given time to fill out his frame. As for Kato the 36 year old southpaw is no world beater but should have the tools to ask some questions of Adachi, especially with his lefty stance.

The card also feature the much anticipated debut of former Japanese amateur standout Taiga Imanaga (0-0), who kicks off his professional career with a bout against Takahiro Hamazaki (3-8-3, 1). The 22 year old Imanaga is tipped for big things, and whilst his debut isn't a tough one, at least on paper, the bout will give him a chance to show what he can do and hopefully help settle him into the pro-style of boxing before bigger and better bouts later in the year. As for Hamazaki, the 36 year old is 1-5-3 in his last 9 and isn't expected to do much more than survive a few rounds with the talented former amateur.

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December 14th-Akhmadaliev headlines in Monaco, Japanese action in Osaka and Aichi

June 7th-Title action in Korea!

June 29th-Title double header at Korakuen Hall

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