Blog Posts

October 8th-Ancajas seeks revenge against Martinez

10/5/2022

Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, USA
This coming Saturday we see a world title rematch in Carson as IBF Super Flyweight champion Fernando Daniel Martinez (14-0, 8) takes on former champion Filipino Jerwin Ancajas (33-2-2, 22). The two men clashed earlier this year, with Martinez dominating Ancajas to dethrone the Filipino of the IBF title which he had held 2016, and it's fair to say that Martinez will come into this as the clear favourite. The hyper-aggressive Argentinian pressed through the bout, out worked, out fought and controlled the action. Coming in to this Ancajas will need to figure out a way to neutralise Martinez' pressure if he's to have a chance to recapture the title. Sadly for Ancajas it does feel like a loss here will be the end of him as a top tier fighter, and for Martinez the door opens up for some great fights in one of the best divisions in the sport. Our full, in depth, preview of this bout can be read here Repeat or Revenge as Martinez and Ancajas face off again

October 7th-Xu and Islam return!

10/4/2022

Whitesands Events Center, Plant City, Florida, USA
This coming Friday fight fans will get the chance to see a former world champion fight for the first time since being dethroned, and will also see a once beaten contender look to rebuild his career, after a major set back last time out.

The former world champion is former WBA Featherweight champion Can Xu (18-3, 3), who was last seen losing the WBA title to Leigh Wood in the UK last year. That loss was a major professional and personal set back for Xu, who is said to have been hit by depression following that loss. Xu will be hoping to restart his career here as he takes on Mexican fighter Brandon Leon Benitez (18-2, 7), who is a 24 year old Mexican who has won his last 4 bouts. On paper this is a huge step up for Benitez, who hasn't scored a win of note so far, but it is, perhaps, the best time to fight Xu, who has only fought once since the end of 2019, the loss to Wood more than a year ago.

Also on this card is Kazakh fighter Kanat Islam (28-1, 22), who looks to bounce back from a huge upset loss in February to Jimmy "Kilrain" Kelly, as he takes on the durable Vaughn Alexander (17-6-1, 10). The bout is a must win for Islam, who knows his career is over if he loses, but it certainly not a gimmie for him, especially not at the age of 38. Although Alexander isn't a top tier fighter he's also no push over, and could well have too much for the injury prone and aging Islam.

October 3rd-4 round action at Korakuen Hall

9/30/2022

Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
This coming Monday we get the next Dangan 4 round show, with a total of 12 bouts. The card is a rather interesting one, where bonuses will be provided to fighters for scoring knockouts, which should help provide some very, very explosive early action.

Whilst the card doesn't feature any notable names, or big bouts, it does feature two ranked female fighters. One of those is the unbeaten Megumi Watanabe (2-0, 1), who faces Natsuki Yamada (0-1-1). Watanabe will likely landed an Atomweight title fight, of some kind, next year if she wins here, however for Yamada a win would be career changing after her winless start.

The other tanked fighter on the show is ranked Featherweight Mika Yagio (2-2, 1), who faces the debuting Yukiko Ijuin (0-0). Whilst being ranked is always good, it does feel like Yagio is ranked by default, due to the lack of depth in the division and a win for Ijuin wouldn't be a massive surprise all things considered. Regardless, whoever wins here will only be a fight or two from a potential Japanese title fight.

One other bout worthy of some attention will see Toi Shimizu (0-0) battle against Yoshiaki Yasuda (0-0) in an all debutant bout at 122lbs. Shimizu is a 24 year old orthodox fighter whilst Yasuda is a 20 year old Southpaw, who will boast a clear size advantage, standing at 5'8".

October 2nd-Rookie of the Year action in Okinawa

9/29/2022

Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan
This coming Sunday the Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome in Okinawa will be hosting two shows. In many ways the more important of the two is the battle to decide who will compete in the next stages of the Rookie of the Year. With that in mind we'll see the best of the Western Japan Rookies take on the best of the Central Japan Rookies, to decide who returns to face the West Japan winners in November.

On paper the best looking match up is at Flyweight, where we see unbeaten men clash as Yutaro Hamamura (1-0, 1) takes on Ryo Sakai (1-0). The 23 year old Hamamura debuted earlier this year, when he stopped Shota Takamatsu in just 103 seconds, and it'll be interesting to see if he can replicate such a destructive performance here. As for Sakai, the 19 year old scored a hard fought decision over Yuki Morikwa, and he'll know that experience will serve him well here.

At Super Flyweight we'll see teenagers clash as Kota Mishima (1-1, 1) and Ayumu Sano (2-0-1) face off. With both men being just 19 years old it's hard to know how either of these men will work out, but it's going to be interesting to see if the occasion gets to either men. Mishima was beaten on debut, but scored a win last time out, whilst Sano picked up a draw in his debut before winning his last two bouts

We get another battle of teenagers at Super Flyweight, where 18 year old southpaw Issa Sakata (1-0) battles against 19 year old Rento Miyazawa (3-1, 1). Sakata debuted in March, with a decision win, whilst Miyazawa debuted in July 2021, losing his second bout but comes into this on the back of two close wins. This should be a good test of two talented youngsters.

Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome, Uruma, Okinawa, Japan
The other show at the Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome is promoted by the Hiranaka Boxing School, and is a small but interesting card.

In the main event of this show we'll see Nigerian fighter Ridwan Oyekola (9-1-1, 5) take on local fighter Hikaru Fukunaga (9-3, 6). Oyekola, who is a former Nigerian champion at 130lbs, made his Japanese debut in September with an upset win over Daisuke Watanabe, and will be looking to score his second win in just under a month. As for Fukunaga he's lost 2 of his last 3, including a TKO loss last time out to Toshiya Ishii, and will be looking to get his career back on track. If Oyekola wins here we expect to see him continuing his career in Japan, but Fukunaga is certainly no push over, despite his recent losses.

In a good support bout we'll see former amateur Ryusuke Sunagawa (0-0) make his debut, as he takes on Takahiro Hamazaki (3-9-3, 1) in a scheduled 6 rounder. Although Sunagawa was never a stand out amateur, he is someone with a style that should work well in the professional ranks and we expect to see that promise shining here as he takes on the limited, light punching Hamazaki.

Almaty, Kazakhstan
As well as the Japanese action we're also set for a card in Kazakhstan, with some notable Heavyweight action.

The most notable name on this card isn't an Asian fighter, but instead the hugely controversial American Heavyweight - (25-0-1, 21), who takes on Ebenezer Tetteh (20-1, 17), from Ghana. The unbeaten Miller, now aged 34, was once seen as a world title challenger and a great hope for American boxing, but repeated drug violations has killed all that hope. Despite his career essentially being over as a legitimate contender, or as someone a major promoter will work with, he is still a heavy handed fighter and he shouldn't struggle with Tetteh, he was stopped 2 fights back by Daniel Dubois, inside a round.

Another Heavyweight on this show is Azeri fighter Mahammadrasul Majidov (3-1, 3), who looks to bounce back from his horror injury against Andrey Fedosov back in 2021. Sadly for him he's now 36 and it seems almost impossible for him to make the huge mark on the professional ranks that his talent, power, and amateur pedigree deserve. The injury against Fedosov was nasty and it's a real shame we won't ever see what he could have done in the professional ranks. Sadly his opponent for this show hasn't yet been announced.

October 1st-Hata and Hara clash in title eliminator

9/28/2022

Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Attention turns to Korakuen Hall this coming Saturday for the next Teiken show, and it's a really interesting one packed with prospects all looking to secure their next wins, along with a Japanese title eliminator.

The main event of the card will see the hard hitting Yamato Hata (12-1, 11) take on Yuna Hara (11-2-1, 6), in a bout to secure a place at the Champion Carnival next year, as the mandatory challenger for the Japanese title at 130lbs. Of the two men Hata will be regarded as the favourite, and he's not just the bigger puncher but also the man in form, having won his last 9 including notable wins over Shingo Kusano, Konshin Takeshima and Yoji Saito, who he stopped in March in a brilliant performance. As for Hara he had won his last 5, 4 of which he has won by stoppage, but this will be his first bout in Tokyo, and his most notable bout since a 2018 loss in the Rookie of the Year. Hara is talented, but this is very much a big step up for him, in enemy territory.

The most notable of the prospects on the card is JBC and OPBF ranked hopeful Mikito Nakano (6-0, 5), who has looked sensational since his debut and is expected to secure his first title fighter sooner rather than later. The talented Nakano will be seeking his second win of the year as he takes on Filipino visitor Lorenz Ladrada (11-3-1, 3) , who has lost 2 of his last 3 including a 4th round KO loss to Dana Coolwell in July. That bout will Coolwell will likely be seen as the target for Nakano who will be wanting to take Ladrada out quicker than the popular Australian fighter. This is scheduled for 8, but if it goes the distance we'd be very, very surprised.

The under-card on this show is packed with the next wave of emerging Teiken prospects. We won't go into details on the bouts individually, as every under-card bout features a notable prospect, but the card really does show the depth of talent at the Teiken gym. These under-card bouts are Kenji Fujita (2-0, 1) facing Ronnie Campos (9-4-3, 6), in a scheduled 8 rounder, and Subaru Murata (2-0, 2) against Marvilo Aballe (8-2-2, 3), Kota Kaneko (1-0, 1) battling Sugary Montales (3-1, 1), Reo Saito (1-0, 1) clashing with Jufel Salina (5-4-1, 4), Kyosuke Takami (1-0, 1) up against In Cheol Hwang (3-0-1, 1) and a battle of debutants as Keito Tanaka (0-0) and Hyuga Oki (0-0) face off, all over the 6 round distance.

Spaceplus Bangkok RCA, Bangkok
Whilst the card in Japan is about the next generation of Japanese stars, there is also a card in Thailand, which features both a touted prospects and a veteran, who is certainly moving into the end years of his career.

The main bout here will see the unbeaten men collide, as touted Thai hopeful Yuttapong Tongdee (8-0, 4) faces Filipino visitor Herlan Gomez (5-0, 2) , in a bout for Yuttapong's WBA Asia Bantamweight title. The 29 year old Yuttapong is touted as one of Thailand's hottest prospects, and his win over Ryan Rey Pontmeras earlier this year for the WBA title is a big step towards him getting a notable international bout. Sadly he's in one of the toughest divisions in the sport, but if he's patient he will likely land a major fight Naoya Inoue eventually moves up to Super Bantamweight. As for Gomez this will be his third bout in Thailand, and comes on the back of two wins, over previously unbeaten Thai's earlier this year. He will, rightfully, be seen as the under-dog, but he will certainly have plenty of self belief thanks to his recent results.

The veteran on the card is former world title contender Tewa Kiram (47-1, 33), who famously fought Lucas Matthysse back in 2018. Since losing to Matthysse he has gone unbeaten, racking up 9 wins, but has fought as high as 175lb and his most notable bout during this stretch was against former Bantamweight and Super Featherweight world champion Sirimongkol Singwancha. His career certainly feels like it's petering out, and at the time of writing his opponent for this bout is un-named, suggesting he won't be facing someone able to put up any kind of a test.

Saigon Sports Club, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
As well as the notable action in Japan and Thailand we also get a mall card in Vietnam, featuring some of Vietnam's top prospects taking on international opposition.

One of the more notable prospects on this card is Super Middleweight hopeful Dinh Hoang Truong (2-0, 2), who looked set for big things in early 2020, after dominating Yuttana Wongda in the Philippines, but has now been out of the ring for close to 32 months and will be looking to shake some ring rust here. In the opposite corner to Truong will be Indonesian veteran Robert Kopa (14-11-3, 4), who is not expected to put up much, if anything, of a test for Truong. Now aged 38 Kopa has lost his last 5, with 3 losses coming by stoppage and is without a win in 5 years. He i also the naturally much, much, much smaller man.

Another prospect with some hope on their shoulders is 29 year old Huu Toan Le (4-0, 2), who takes on the highly experienced Silem Serang (18-23-3, 2). Le has managed to fit in a fight earlier this year, taking a competitive decision over Kitidech Hirunsuk in March to claim the WBA Asia title, and he'll be looking to build on that win, whilst also getting some valuable experience here. Whilst Serang does have a terrible looking record, he has shown some desire to change things in recent years, and has won 3 of his last 4, though was beaten last time out by Frengky Rohi, albeit in a well contested and competitive bout.

September 30th-Low level action through Asia

9/27/2022

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The most notable of the action this coming Friday comes from Vietnam, where we see the once touted Van Thao Tran (14-1, 9) face off with under-rated Filipino Prince Andrew Laurio (12-3-1, 0) in a bout for the IBA Bantamweight title. Tran, who has bounced back well from a 2019 loss to Billy Dib, is still the best male hope in Vietnam, but sadly at the age of 30 time does seem to be running out on his career, and he needs to begin to climb through the rankings soon if he's going to land a major international fight. Laurio is a talented 23 year old, but we do need to wonder what his ambition and hunger is like, following a trio of losses across 2018 and 2019, including an opening round loss to countryman Joy Joy Formentera. We also need to wonder if Laurio can take a shot at Bantamweight, given he was stopped at Flyweight and Super Flyweight.

Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Over in Tokyo we get a show that is all 4 rounders, which are typically really fun shows. The event, from Flash Akabane, will feature 11 bouts in total, including 3 all debutant bouts and 9 debutants in total.

Whilst we won't talk about any bout in detail, we are interested in a Bantamweight bout between Hoshito Uchino (0-0) and Kakeru Kobayashi (0-0), which is notable as Kobayashi is just 17 years old. Another couple of youngsters are Hibiki Kikuchi (0-0) and Masahiko Ohashi (0-0), who will be clashing in another Bantamweight bout, with both of these men being 20 years old.

AF Boxing Playground, Dhaka, Bangladesh
We also get a small card in Bangladesh. Most of the bouts on this show are 4 rounders, but the main event is an 8 rounds as Joynul Islam (3-2-2, 2) takes on Moksadul Rana (3-2-1, 1) in a Welterweight bout. Islam is 30 years old and comes into this on the back of 3 wins, after failing to win any of his first 4. Rana on the other hand is 19 and has had very inconsistent form, which we expect to continue here.

A more interesting looking bout will see unbeaten men collide over 6 rounds, as Abdul Mottalib (3-0, 2) takes on Sukhdarshan Singh (1-0). Mottalib is 25 years old who debuted in February, with a win over the aforementioned Rana. Singh on the other hand is 21 and began his career in July with a win, but is stepping up from that bout.

September 28th-Trio of title bouts in Thailand

9/25/2022

Spaceplus Bangkok RCA, Bangkok, Thailand
This coming Wednesday attention turns to the Thai capital of Bangkok for a notable show with a trio of title bouts on it.

One of those title bouts will be a Thai light Flyweight bout, as hard hitting local Phanuwit Chinpe (12-2, 11) takes on Chinese novice Jin Ping Yang (3-1-1). The 25 year old Yang went unbeaten in China, but lost last time out, in his Thai debut, against Vichith Oat in August and this bout, on paper appears to be a huge step up in class for him. Chinpe on the other hand is a 20 year old who comes into this on the back of 5 straight stoppage wins. Those wins have come at a low level, however the youngster has shown his ability, with his two losses being on foreign soil against solid Japanese fighters Sora Takeda and Naoya Haruguchi, and those losses have shown that there is something to get excited about, much more so than his wins.

Another title bout will see Indian fighter Shiva (15-3-1, 7) take on the unbeaten Malaysian hopeful Adli Hafidz (10-0, 6), in a bout for the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super Middleweight title. Aged 27 Shiva is coming into this physical prime but sadly since losing to Idd Pialari in 2017 his competition has been dreadful, despite racking up 9 wins. His competition, overall, has been poor but with his wins coming against novices it's really hard to know what he has learned in the ring and how he has really developed. As for Hafidz, the 33 year old "Golden Boy" has notched wins over a mix of lower level regional foes, and has shown enough to regard him as a legitimate regional level fighter, not someone who will move into world title mix but someone who has something about him. Given the quality both have been fighting at it's hard to see what Shiva will do to be a real test for Hafidz.

the other title bout on this card will see Dubai based Pakistani fighter Usman Wazeer (8-0, 5) take on Thailand's Somphot Seesa (8-3-1, 6) in a bout for WBO Youth Welterweight title. The 22 year old Wazeer is well travelled, having fought in Dubai, Philippines and Pakistan, and has shown that there is some real potential there, but it's potential that needs to be developed and given both time and good training. He has looked good, and claimed a number of minor titles, but is still a real work in progress. Seesa will have home advantages here, which is notable given he is 0-3 outside of Thailand, however he has been stopped 3 times already in his career, and those losses have come between Featherweight and Lightweight, meaning we don't imagine he'll be a durable fighter at Welterweight.

September 27th-East Japan Rookie of the Day semi finals day 2

9/24/2022

Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
For the second day in a row we get bouts from the East Japan Rookie of the Year, as we get the second day of semi-final bouts. This show will feature 12 bouts in total, and will see the winners booking their place in the East Japan final later in the year.

One of the most interesting bouts on the show is at Super Featherweight, where 18 year old Seiya Iwamoto (4-0, 2) takes on 30 year old Ryo Tanihara (2-0). Iwamoto made his debut in early 2021, and although he hasn't had a huge amount of activity, there is real promise there, and a win here would help boost his status as a prospect in a division that has long been a great division for Japanese fighters. As for Tanihara he debuted late last year and has struggled hard for both of his wins. Given his age Tanihara will know he can ill afford a loss if he plans to move on to making any sort of mark on the sport.

Another bout between unbeaten fighters will see Kota Matsuno (1-0) take on Ryoma Yamamoto (1-0, 1), in a bout at Welterweight. Matsuno is the slightly older man, at 20, whilst Yamamoto is just 19. Whilst both are young, the more interesting aspect of this fight is the fact it's at Welterweight, a division that Japan isn't too well known for, but does tend to deliver some brilliant fights at

September 26th-East Japan Rookie of the Year semi final day 1

9/23/2022

Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
This coming Monday we get the first of two sets of East Japan Rookie of the Year semi-finals, with the second set of them taking place on Tuesday. The show will have 10 bouts, with two other bouts on the show being cancelled.

On paper one of the most interesting bouts on the card will be at 105lbs, as once beaten 25 year old Ryo Hoshino (4-1, 1) takes on the unbeaten Kenshin Hosokawa (4-0, 3), a 19 year old who debuted last November. Hoshino has bounced back from his loss, which came in February against Prince Fujiwara, with two wins, but they have both been incredibly close decision losses. As for Hosokawa he has looked really impressive, barely losing a round since his debut, given he has plenty of pop for a Minimumweight he is certainly one to watch.

Another well matched bout will be taking place at Lightweight, as 23 year old Naoya Nishihata (3-1, 2) takes on unbeaten 24 year old Takara Kawaguchi (3-0, 2). Nishihata lost on his debut, in August 2021, but has reeled off 3 wins since then, all this year, and he will be looking to extend that run here, and book his place in the East Japan Rookie of the Year final. Kawaguchi, who debuted in January, has shown plenty to like but this is, on paper a big step up for him and his first bout against a fighter with a winning record.

September 25th- Japan Vs Philippines action in Kobe!

9/22/2022

Sambo Hall, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
The main show this coming Sunday takes place in Kobe and is a Shinsei promoted card that very much focuses on the Japan Vs Philippines rivalry, with 3 bouts between fighters from the two countries.

The main event will see Japanese ranked Super Flyweight Tetsuro Ohashi (8-3-1, 2) take on the under-rated Roland Jay Biendima (17-11-1, 10), in what could be a potential banana skin for Ohashi. The talented Japanese fighter is looking to bounce back from a loss to WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight champion Ryosuke Nishida last November. Ohashi is a real talent, but his lack of power has held him back from reaching the next level, and we do worry that he is close to, if not at, his ceiling. As for Biendima he did recently go through a 6 fight losing run, between 2020 and the start of this year, but comes into this on the back of two stoppage wins. At his best, Biendima is a hard hitting tough guy, and he could well be the type of guy who has the tools to get to, and break down, the more skilled Ohashi.

Another Filipino puncher on this card will be Jon Jon Estrada (15-9-1, 14), who will favoured to pick up a win here as he takes on limited Japanese fighter Yushi Fujita (9-9-4, 2). Estrada is a flawed fighter, really flawed, but he has brutal power, and if a fighter tries to have a tear up with him, he can catch them, and close the show on them. Notably he can be out boxed, though fighters do, generally, need to be wary of his power and find ways to either avoid it completely, or neutralise it. As for Fujita he lacks power, but is better than his record suggests, and has been a solid test for decent domestic fighters, such as Jinki Maeda who had to work for a win over Fujita last year. Estrada should be favoured, but Fujita could make this a tough day for him.

For us the best match up on the card will see OPBF ranked Filipino Cris Ganoza (19-4, 9) take on Japanese novice Goki Kobayashi (3-0, 2). The 28 year old Ganoza was blasted out in his most recent fight, by Yudai Shigeoka, but has only been beaten by solid fighters, with Shigeoka, Edward Heno, ArAr Andales and John Michael Zulueta beating him. He is certainly no push over. As for Kobayashi the 23 year old looks like a genuine prospect to keep an eye on and a blow out win over Sora Takeda back in March was a statement that he has got power and can go a long way. We suspect he has the tools to over-come Ganoza, but we also feel he will have to work for a win here and he will be forced to answer a number of questions about his potential. A really good match up and a good sign of the belief Shinsei have in Kobayashi.

Capio, Tsukuba, Ibaragi, Japan
As well as the card in Kobe we're also set to get a show in Ibaragi, though this show is much less notable and is an all 4 rounder show. These types of shows lack stars, or notable hopefuls, but do tend to deliver fun action and this 7 bout card should be a really fun one, with 4 all debutant bouts.

The one bout from the 7 we're most interested in is a bout at a contracted 50KG's between Yuki Hayato (0-0) and Tomoya Sasamoto (0-0), who are both youngsters looking to kick their careers off with a win. Hayato is a 23 year old whilst Sasamoto is a little younger at 22. Given their ages we expect to see both men continue their careers, and hopefully we'll see both men looking to leave an impression here.