Weljon Mindoro Challenges Takeshi Inoue for WBO Asia Pacific 154 Title Saturday at Okada Manila
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 09 May 2023
Warriors Takeshi Inoue and Weljon Mindoro are in collision course with the WBO Asia Pacific super welterweight championship on the line!
Champ and world-ranked Japanese 井上岳志 Takeshi Inoue (19-2-1, 11 KO's) feels more than ready to defend for the 1st time his regional crown against the fast and furious fists of 23-year-old Filipino challenger, undefeated knockout artist rising star "Triggerman" Weljon Mindoro (10-0, 10 KO's) of Bacoor, Cavite.
The rumble is set to unfold this coming Saturday, May 13, at the Ballroom of Okada Manila - the famous casino resort and hotel complex located on the Entertainment City gaming strip in Parañaque, Metro Manila.
Notably, the more-experienced battle-tested Takeshi Inoue is a former world title challenger who battled for the WBO super welterweight world title against then champion hard-hitting Mexican Jaime Munguía (41-0, 33 KO's).
The taller Munguia decisioned Takeshi during that title clash 4 years ago in Houston, Texas, Takeshi showing heart and an iron chin.
Later on in his career, Takeshi Inoue sufferend another set back by points, this time to undefeated Australian star Tim Tszyu (who is now the reigning WBO interim super welterweight champion since March 2023).
That loss by points was a disappointment for the Tokyo native. But last November, Takeshi Inoue get a good round 6 stoppage win over Nagoya warrior Ryosuke Tenyu Maruki, in claiming simultaneously two regional super welterweight titles: the WBO Asia-Pacific and OPBF strap. Good come back!
One of those titles - the WBO Asia Pacific - Inoue will be defending against the brave and fresher "Triggerman" Weljon Mindoro (10-0) this Saturday.
The above leads us to think that the Japanese is light-years more experienced that the younger warrior-heart Filipino Weljone Mindoro. 100% yes.
Then, what should we think will happen when Takeshi Inoue and the brave "Triggerman" Pinoy from the lively City of Bacoor, Cavite, listen to the first bell and get into battle?
Will it be an easy demolition job for the elder, battle-tested Takeshi Inoue in defeating the hard-puncher Filipino 154 pound warrior?
In 22 battles, Takeshi Inoue has lost 2 times, while Weljon Mindoro (10-0) has lost none, that is correct.
But those 2 defeats of Inoue have been in fights against two of the greatest unbeaten heavy-punching stars in the super welterweight division: Jaime Munguia and Tim Tszyu, and none of them could knock Inoue out. How about that?
But boxing is boxing. Will the fresher "Triggerman" Weljon Mindoro rise to the occasion to score the most thrilling, most brilliant, most riveting win of his career?
In fact, should Mindoro win the day, he'd not only become "the new" WBO Asia Pacific Champion, but would also claim a place in the world rankings in super welterweight division, taking Takeshi's places.
The warrior from the Land of the Rising Sun is currently WBO #8, IBF #10, and WBC #13 in the weight-class where the undisputed champion is Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KO's).
Takeshi Inoue vs Weljon Mindoro has much on the line. It is an intriguing fight, that I'd love to watch!
How to watch?
Fans outside of the Philippines can watch this fight. Takashi Inoue vs Weljon Mindoro, as well as the main event John Riel Casimero vs Filipus Nghitumbwa, both promoted by former fighter Masayuki Ito of Treasure Boxing Promotions will air live on FITE TV PPV: www.fite.tv. Price tag: $ 19.99 (about PHP 1,100 pesos)
For fans inside the Philippines, fight posters for this show have the logo of television channel PTV, which leads to think that the exciting show might air live from Okada Manila on the Phiippines' flagship state broadcaster, PTV (People's Television). That is possible, but needs to be checked.
Good luck to the warriors in Saturday's show in Manila, May the Best Man Win!!!
The author is veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa of Panama. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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