"Cherrypicking" in World Title Bouts in Japan Becoming Hard to Ignore
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 30 Aug 2024
Selective match pairing otherwise termed in the West as "cherrypicking" in world title bouts being organized by promoters in Japan is becoming noticeable.
This has prompted the question: Has Japan's prominence as a boxing heavyweight in terms of producing many notable world champions, chiefly Naoya Inoue, as well as in flexing its financial and organizational muscle succeeded in co-opting the major sanctioning bodies, making them willing or hesitant accomplices?
Inoue himself had his way in the choice of his next opponent in contravention of a WBA order that he fights his WBA mandatory challenger, former unified titlist Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
Hence this coming September 3 Inoue is facing an aging ex-IBF titlist Australia based Irish TJ Doheny in defense of his undisputed world super bantamweight titles, including that of the WBA.
Well in Inoue's case, his wish for a sort of "choice defense" seems justifiable as he had just defended against Luis Nery capping a series of tough fights that also saw him beat Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales for all the major belts at 122 lbs.
However the companion title and non title bouts involving Japanese and non Japanese supporting Inoue's choice defense against Doheny cannot help but raise eyebrows.
WBO bantamweight champion Yoshiki Takei is making his first defense against fellow Japanese former WBC flyweight titlist Daigo Higa. Though Higa is the top rated contender (which could be the result of request of lobbying), his last two wins that perhaps merited him the crack have come against two beatable Thais. Then, there are four non Japanese in the top five who could have better credentials including David Cuellar, Christian Medina, Antonio Vargas and ex-titlist Jason Moloney.
The non-title undercards involve two world rated Japanese Andy Hiraoka and Jin Sasaki against lower rated Ismael Barroso and non rated Qamil Balla. Barroso could ring a bell but note that in one of his last two fights, he was knocked out by Rolando Romero.
The consecutive multi world championship cards in Japan on October 13 and October 14 are more eye raising.
First off there is former unified WBA and WBC light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji fighting long time ex-WBC flyweight titlist Cristofer Rosales for the vacant WBC flyweight championship left by Mexican Julio Cesar Martinez.
Teraji has apparently vacated his WBC and WBA light flyweight titles on condition that he be given prior opportunity to vie for the vacant WBC flyweight crown. That seems fair.
But what's questionable is the choice of Rosales as his title opponent. Rosales has seen better days. He first gained prominence by knocking out Daigo Higa to wrest the WBC flyweight title. But that was like some ten years ago! The aging Nicaraguan has since lost to Charlie Edwards losing the belt, by knockout to Martinez in failed attempt to regain the title and in recent times, to Angel Ayala Lardizabal.
Then there's Shokichi Iwasa battling Jairo Noriega of Spain for the vacant WBO light flyweight belt left by Jonathan Gonzalez who had defeated Iwasa in his last title defense. Despite that loss, Iwasa remained as the WBO top ranking contender. Noriega seems to be a qualified title contender having been a European and Latin champion. But when did we last have a Spanish world champion in boxing?
Seigo Yuri Akui is defending his WBA flyweight title for the second time after beating a fellow Japanese in his initial defense. But he is fighting another Asian, Thailand's Thananchai Chupranak who in fairness has some credentials being a newly installed WBO Asia Pacific champion. Akui may still proved to be too much for Chupranak.
And then there's another all-Japanese world title fight between WBA bantamweight titlist Takuma Inoue defending against Seiya Tsusumi which is billed as a domestic rivalry that caters to Japanese fight fans. But then again, how about those non-Japanese contenders who could be more deserving of the title crack?
The following day will see WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani and WBO super flyweight titlist Kosei Tanaka making their respective title defenses against yet challengers of doubtful quality.
Nakatani who many sees as heir apparent to Inoue, is fighting another aging Thai Tasana Salapat who despite an impressive ring record has fought mainly in Thailand and feasted on obscure Thai, Filipino and Chinese opponents. Nakatani is solid favorite to notch another impressive title defense.
Tanaka on the other hand is defending against Phomele Cafu of South Africa who has just a baker dozen of pro fights in an undefeated young pro career.
Cafu nonetheless has already wins over some noted names as Jackson Chauke and Genesis Libranza on the way to the IBF international super flyweight championship. But Tanaka's experience and class would be very hard to overcome.
Is the perception correct?
You be the judge.
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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