PHOTOS: IWASA vs SAULONG FINAL PRESSCON IN TOKYO
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Feb 2018
Photos by Sumio Yamada.
IBF superbantam world title holder Ryosukie Iwasa of Japan and his Filipino challenger Ernesto Saulong came face to face during Tuesday's presscon in Tokyo ahead of their world championship fight on Thursday, March 1, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.
Iwasa (24-2-0, 16KOs) wrested the IBF belt from his compatriot Yukinori Oguni last September and he will be making the first defense of the title against Saulong (21-2-1, 8KOs), the IBF superbantam No. 13 ranked contender.
Saulong has been training at Joven Jiminez's Survival Gym in Cavite City the last two months in preparation for the Iwasa fight. Jiminez, the trainer/manager of IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, will be on Saulong's corner on Thursday.
Ryosuke Iwasa speaks during Tuesday's presscon.
Filipino challenger Ernesto Saulong.
L-R: Shinsuke Yamanaka, Luis Nery, Ryosuke Iwasa and Ernesto Saluong.
Co-headlining the March 1 event is the rematch between WBC world bantamweight champion Luis Nery of Mexico and popular Japanese fighter Shinsuke Yamanaka. Nery knocked out Yamanaka in the 4th round during their first meeting on Aug. 15, 2107 to wrest the belt from the long-time WBC bantamweight champion who held the green and gold scrap since 2011.
In the first defense of his title, the undefeated Nery stopped Filipino Arthur Villanueva in the 6th round on Nov. 4, 2107 in Tijuana, Mexico.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
PITBULL CRUZ DOMINATES OMAR SALCEDO TO WIN WBC 140 LB INTERIM TITLE
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025Figueroa Claims Hard-Fought Decision in Grueling War Against Gonzalez
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025MAGSAYO, MARCIAL REGISTER WINS IN LAS VEGAS
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025Pacquiao vs Barrios: Factors of consequence
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 20 Jul 2025How to Watch Pacquiao vs Barrios in the Philippines
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 20 Jul 2025Final Hours Tick Down: Pacquiao and Barrios Ready for Destiny in Las Vegas
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Philippines Sweeps Kyrgyzstan, Secures Return to Davis Cup Group III
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Blu Girls Bounce Back, Blank Hong Kong 12–0 in Four Innings
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Pacquiao vs. Barrios: Weigh-in Results and Fight Analysis
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Panamanian Star Nataly Delgado wins WBA super flyweight champinship
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Usyk vs Dubois Rematch Marred by Oversaturated Pay-Per-View Market
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Weights from Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Jul 2025Pacquiao and Barrios Make Weight: Final Hurdle Cleared for Blockbuster Saturday Night
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Usyk Registers Career-Heaviest Weight as Dubois Looks Ready for Undisputed Rematch at Wembley
Sat, 19 Jul 2025Rodriguez vs. Cafu Unification Clash Set for Frisco, Texas; All Fighters Make Weight
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025