Cuarto to fight Shigeoka for IBF Interim Title on April 16
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 11 Mar 2023
FORMER IBF World minimumweight champion Rene Mark “Mighty Mouse” Cuarto will fight Ginjiro Shigeoka of Japan for the vacant IBF Interim Minimumweight title on Saturday, April 16 in Tokyo, Japan.
They will fight because the reigning IBF minimumweight world champion Mexican Daniel "Cejitas" Valladares (26-3-1, 15 KO's) has filed for a medical exception.
Cuarto is ranked number three while Shigeoka is rated no. 4. The no. 1 and 2 are still vacant.
The 26-year-old Cuarto of Jose Dalman, Zamboanga del Norte has been working out at MP Pacquiao Gym Davao since last January.
“We were waiting for the order from the IBF,” said Cuarto.
It was made by Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions. Cuarto will also leave together with his manager and head coach Nonoy Neri, Neri's wife Vanessa and assistant coach Vincent Dayaganon.
No exact date was given yet.
“I'm excited for my fight in Japan,” said Cuarto.
Cuarto was formerly the IBF World minimumweight title holder when he dethroned Pedro Taduran of Albay by a unanimous decision last February 27, 2021 in General Santos City.
He also defeated Taduran in a rematch by a technical decision last February 6, 2022 in Digos City.
But in his second title defense, Cuarto lost by a split decision to Daniel Valladares last July 1, 2022 in San Nicolas delos Garza, Mexico.
Cuarto then made a comeback by scoring a knockout against Dexter Alimento in the 2nd round last December 23, 2022 in Davao City.
Cuarto has 21 wins, three loses with two draws and 12 knockouts while the undefeated Shigeoka has eight wins with six knockouts.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Queens of Philippine Boxing are Training in Cebu
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025GM Eugene Torre to grace the Asenso Ozamis Open Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
Fri, 04 Jul 2025International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Fri, 04 Jul 2025Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 03 Jul 2025No issues with fight ref
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Thu, 03 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 03 Jul 2025