EX-WORLD CHAMP TAKAYAMA STARTS TRAINING AT ALA GYM
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 27 Jan 2010
Former WBC minmumweight world champ Katsunari Takayama of Japan has started to train at the ALA Gym in Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City.
His manager, Koichi Matsumoto was at the ALA Gym last month and was impressed with the facilities. Matsumoto said that he brought his fighter here in Cebu so he can train and spar with the ALA Gym boxers. He said that there are also opportunities for Filipino boxers to work as sparring partners in Japan.
Takayama is aiming to become the first Japanese boxer to win titles in the four major sanctioning bodies: WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF. The Japan Boxing Commission by tradition recognizes the WBA and WBC but Takayama is now ranked number 12 by the IBF.
His manager said that most Japanese managers and promoters prefer to have their boxers fight in Japan and he wants to break from this practice. Takayama (23W ? 4 L, 9 KO's) has never fought outside of Japan. Matsumoto wants his boxer to accumulate overseas fighting experience and make a name outside of their country.
We saw the 26 year old Takayama again last Tuesday afternoon as he performed sit ups, shadow boxed and hit the heavy bag at the ALA Gym. He won the WBC 105lb world title 4 years ago with a 12 round unanimous decision win over Isaac Bustos of Mexico in Osaka, Japan. He lost in his first defense to Eagle (Kyowa) Den Junlaphan by 12 round UD. Takayama has tried for the WBA world crown twice and lost to countryman Yutaka Niida and Nicaraguan Roman Gonzales both by unanimous decision.
We asked Matsumoto if he would consider matching Takayama with WBO minimumweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes.
?Yes, but later.? he said. ?I know Nietes is good.?
(Photo of Takayama at ALA Gym below)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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