December 1st 2018-Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Yukinori Oguni (19-2-1, 7) vs Arega Yunian (6-11, 1)

Earlier today fight fans had the chance to see former IBF Super Bantamweight world champion Yukinori Oguni [小國 以載] face off with Indonesian foe Arega Yunian, in what was Oguni's first bout since losing the IBF title in 2017 to Ryosuke Iwasa.

September 13th 2017- EDION Arena Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Yukinori Oguni (19-1-1, 7) Vs Ryosuke Iwasa (23-2, 15)

Earlier today Japanese fight fans saw an IBF Supe Bantamweight title fight as Yukinori Oguni [小國 以載] took on mandatory challenger Ryosuke Iwasa [岩佐 亮佑].

December 31th 2016- Shimazu Arena Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Yukinori Oguni (18-1-1, 7) vs Jonathan Guzman (22-0-0-1, 22)

Earlier today fight fans in Japan saw formed OPBF and JBC Super Bantamweight champion Yukinori Oguni [小國 以載] battle against IBF Super Bantamweight champion Jonathan Guzman.

December 6th 2014- Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Yukinori Oguni (13-1, 4) Vs Yasutaka Ishimoto (24-7, 7)

Last year we saw Hidenori Otake vacate the Japanese Super Bantamweight title as he went and chased a world title fight, a fight that he got and sadly lost to Scott Quigg. After Otake vacated we saw a bout for the vacant title as Yukinori Oguni took on Yasutaka Ishimoto in what was, on paper and in the ring, a compelling bout between to talented fighters each looking to take a huge step forward with their career.

(Note-This video may be muted)

Japanese Super Bantamweight Yukinori Oguni is best known for his stoppage loss in 2013 to the then unknown Shingo Wake. Whilst Wake has turned out to be a very good fighter the jury is still out in some ways on Oguni, despite the fact Oguni is a former OPBF Super Bantamweight champion. Oguni held the OPBF title for over a year and made 3 defenses of the belt, the first of which saw him defeating domestic rival Hiromasa Ohashi.

Ohashi was attempting to become a 3-time OPBF champion at 122lbs though was unable to over-come Oguni who was in great form, full of confidence, significantly bigger and able to keep an active jab going through out the bout. It was that sharp jab that made life so easy for Oguni who, at the time, looked like one of the most promising young fighters in the sport. It's a shame Oguni didn't turn out to be as good we thought though his is certainly not over and we're really looking forward to his Japanese title bout with Yasutaka Ishimoto which is due near the end of the year.

(For those wanting to fast forward beyond all the build up they may want to begin this video at 9:55)

When we talk about fighters "breaking out" we tend to assume that that involves winning a world title, or at least showing they belong in world title bouts. One man who bucked that mould in 2013 was Japan's talented Super Bantamweight Shingo Wake who "broke out" by winning the OPBF Super Bantamweight title in an impressive upset victory over the previously unbeaten Yukinori Oguni.

Going in to the bout Oguni was 10-0, the reigning OPBF champion and a man seen as someone on the fast track to the top. At the end of the bout however he was a man beaten both mentally and physically with a gaping cut above one eye. It was obvious that exhaustion setting in, frustration was growing at being unable to hurt or slow Wake and worst of all he was being force fed series of hard shots as punishment for missing. Thankfully for the youngster his corner saw he was being broken down and took the classy decision to pull their fighter out rather than let him get hurt by Wake who was starting to turn the screw as we were about to enter the championship rounds.

It wasn't quite a "master class" by Wake but it was a thoroughly impressive performance by a man who used this win to turn his career around. Prior to the bout Wake was a paltry 12-4-2 but since this victory he has bloomed into a genuine world ranked fighter who seems likely to fight for a major world title sooner rather than later.

For Oguni it was a major set back but one that the youngster has managed to rebuild from and he is now also world ranked by the WBC.

(Video courtesy QuadrupleEndBag)