Japan Hosts Four World Title Bouts This July
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 29 Jun 2024
Demonstrating its clout in boxing particularly in the lower weights, Japan is hosting four world title bouts this July featuring as many of its fighters and champions.
On July 7, 2024, at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, WBA world super flyweight titlist Kazuto Ioka (31-2-1, 16 KOs) will attempt to become a unified world champion by taking on IBF titleholder Fernando Martinez (16-0-0, 9 KOs) of Argentina.
On July 20, 2024, current WBO super flyweight champion Kosei Tanaka (20-1-0, 11 KOs) heads a triple world championship card at the same venue as he defends his title against Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez (25-2-1, 17 KOs).
On the same card, undefeated WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani (27-0-0, 20 KOs) will put at stake his crown versus Filipino challenger Vincent Astrolabio (19-4-0, 17 KOs).
Capping the triple bill, WBO #2 contender Riku Kano (22-4-2, 11 KOs) attempts to become Japan's 11th world titleholder as he clashes against #3 rated Los Angeles bomber Anthony Olascuaga (6-1-0, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBO flyweight crown. Why #1 Jonathan Gonzalez, who had to vacate his WBO light flyweight to vie for the same crown, was suddenly left out is a mystery only the rich, influential Japanese fight promoter and organizer can explain.
Akihito Honda of Teiken Promotions promotes both cards.
Currently, Japan and the USA are tied for first with the most number of reigning world champions with ten each following the WBC stripping Jermall Charlo of his middleweight belt. If Kano wins, Japan will edge ahead with eleven. Another Japanese fighter, Masamichi Yabuki is set for a world title challenge against IBF light flyweight titlist Sive Notsingha of South Africa potentially pushing the number to twelve. That is of course, none of the current Japanese world titlists lose their belt which is not likely given that their fights are/will be held in Japan.
Jesse Bam Rodriguez recently vacated his IBF and WBO flyweight titles and moved up again to super flyweights for a clash with long time WBC super champion Juan Francisco Estrada this weekend. Kano as stated is fighting for the vacated WBO flyweight throne against Olascuaga leaving Bomba Gonzalez out in the cold The vacant IBF crown will be contested by Mexico's Angel Ayala and Filipino Dave Apolinario.
Meanwhile, Mexican Julio Cesar Martinez has also vacated his once long held WBC flyweight title to also campaign at the super flyweight and possibly fight the winner of the Estrada-Rodriguez bout this weekend. Japan also stands to benefit from this as WBC-WBA unified light flyweight titlist Kenshiro Teraji has expressed interest to fight for the vacated WBC flyweight crown. Francisco Rodriguez of Mexico whom Teraji has already beaten at light flyweight is the #1 contender of the WBC at flyweight.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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