Libranza Suffers KO Loss in S. Africa; Paras Vs Kyoguchi Rubber Match Set
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Sep 2024
Genisis Libranza failed in his bid for the WBO intercontinental bantamweight championship losing by 5th round knockout to Landile Ngxeke in South Africa Monday night.
Meanwhile, new found rivals Vince Paras and ex- two division world titlist Hiroto Kyoguchi hope to break their one-all tie as the two go at it again in a scheduled 10 round bout rubbermatch in Yokohama on October 10, 2024.
Long inactivity, move up in weight and South Africa's high altitude could be factors in the defeat of the tough, usually durable Librabza who also lost via the short route to Moruti Mtalane in South Africa.
Libranza last fought in December last year yet and still as super flyweight defeating Thai Adisak Ketpian by first round TKO in Bangkok, Thailand.
It was his third loss in the last four fights. He previously lost to Phoemele Cafu also in South Africa and Ben Ligas in his last bout as a flyweight. His record is now 21 wins with 13 KOs against 4 losses.
It was a sort of revenge for Ngxeke who lost by 2nd round TKO to Filipino Jayr Raquiniel for the vacant WBO intercontinental super flyweight title in 2022.
The tall Ngxeke improves his record to 15 wins, 13 by KOs against a loss and a draw in his debut versus Phoemele Cafu.
Kyoguchi defeated Paras by unanimous decision in defense of his WBA minimumweight crown in 2018 in Japan.
Paras evened the count by scoring a unanimous decision over Kyoguchi in their recent bout held at the Paradise City in Incheon, South Korea.
It was only Kyoguchi's second loss; the first coming from countryman Kenshiro Teraji who stopped him in their WBC-WBA light flyweight titles unification bout in 2022.
Kyoguchi obviously wants to erase the tie by beating Paras in their rubber match and place himself back in contention for another world title at the 108 lbs class.
It is therefore up to Paras who is rated highly by most world boxing bodies to thwart Kyoguchi and prove that he is more deserving of a world title crack at the division left wide open by the departure of Teraji for the flyweight class.
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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