Katsunari Takayama ends sparring, excited to face Kha Lu
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Dec 2024
FORMER three-time world champion Katsunari Takayama of Japan has ended his sparring session and is excited to face unbeaten Kha Lu of Australia on December 18 at Bula Gym in General Santos City.
"Just today, I cut it out of the sparring. I'm excited to be able to challenge for the IBO title," said 41-year-old Takayama.
Takayama is expected to arrive together with his former WBA light middleweight champion Nobuhiro Ishida.
His sparring partner was Shishimaru Takaya, a Japan and OPBF contender.
“There has been a pretty good development in my training,” said Takayama.
In his last fight, Takayama beat Jerome “The Machine” Baloro of Cavite by unanimous decision on September 10, 2023 at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.
“Things are going well,” said Takayama.
Takayama now has 34 wins with 12 knockouts against nine losses while Lu has seven wins with three knockouts.
The Takayama-Lu 12-round title-fight is promoted by the Sanman Boxing Promotion under Jean Claude Manangquil, John Ray Manangquil and Dexter Tan.
LAST FIGHT. Katsunari Takayama of Japan [left] fights Jerome Baloro of Cavite last year. [file photo]
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