Fighters make weight for Minimumweight title triple header!
Tomorrow at Korakuen Hall we get a Minimumweight fiesta with a card dedicated to the 105lb weight class. The show features a talk between the legendary Ricardo “Finito” Lopez and Hideyuki Ohashi, with the two men having fought back in the early 1990’s, along with 7 bouts, all at 105lbs, including 3 title bouts.
Today ahead of the show, the men involved in the fights all took part in the weigh in.
The first of the 3 title bouts will see Japanese Youth champion Rento Miyazawa (7-2-1, 2) [宮澤漣斗] defending his title against Takero Kitano (6-0-1, 3) [北野武郎] in what will be Miyazawa’s first defense.
The champion was well under the limit, at 104lbs, and stated "My opponent seemed to be in good shape, but I'm in the best shape I've ever been. I hope you'll look forward to tomorrow." The challenger on the other hand was 104.72lbs and stated "He's a strong-willed fighter, but he's fired up. I'll show the most exciting match tomorrow and take the belt myself. I'll win with a bang,"
The second of the 3 title bouts will be for the OPBF Minimumweight title, wit the once beaten Takeshi Ishii (8-1, 7) [石井武志] facing off with unbeaten Filipino John Kevin Jimenez (8-0, 3).
Ishii was bang on the divisional limit of 105lbs and looked in great shape, whilst sporting newly dyed blonde hair, which he explained was done "To get myself pumped”. To prepare for the bout be has been sparing international fighters, including recent world title challenger Alex Winwood and he explained "It was good sparring. I've gained confidence that I can compete on the world stage." Though he also had respect for the visitor, explaining "My opponent has amateur experience, and he's fast and decisive. I won't let him do what he wants." As for Jimenez he was way under the limit, at 103.4lbs, and he explained "I'm lighter than usual, but it's no problem. I'll give it 100% no matter how the fight goes. I'm fired up,"
In the main event we’ll see Katsuki Mori (12-3, 3) [森且貴] and Ryusei Matsumoto (3-0, 1) [松本流星] battle for the recently vacated Japanese Miinimumweight title. The bout, first announced as an eliminator, became a title bout when Yuni Takada (15-8-3, 6) [高田勇仁] vacated the belt. On the scales Mori was bang on the 105lb limit for what is his third shot at the Japanese title. He explained "I'm in the best shape I've ever been both physically and mentally. I'm also perfectly prepared to deal with southpaws." before adding "This is my third attempt, and I have made corrections to the things I have done wrong from the past. I am honoured to have been chosen to be in the main event of such an event. I would like to win and finish on a high note,"
As for Matsumoto, who is having his first professional title bout, he came in around 104.7lbs and explained "It's been a flash so far. My opponent is a strong-willed fighter, but I want to surpass him. I don't care about the content, but if I get the chance, I'll go for the win.". Notably is he wins here he will tie the achievement of Naoya Inoue and Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, among others, in winning a Japanese title in just his 4th professional bout.
Today ahead of the show, the men involved in the fights all took part in the weigh in.
The first of the 3 title bouts will see Japanese Youth champion Rento Miyazawa (7-2-1, 2) [宮澤漣斗] defending his title against Takero Kitano (6-0-1, 3) [北野武郎] in what will be Miyazawa’s first defense.
The champion was well under the limit, at 104lbs, and stated "My opponent seemed to be in good shape, but I'm in the best shape I've ever been. I hope you'll look forward to tomorrow." The challenger on the other hand was 104.72lbs and stated "He's a strong-willed fighter, but he's fired up. I'll show the most exciting match tomorrow and take the belt myself. I'll win with a bang,"
The second of the 3 title bouts will be for the OPBF Minimumweight title, wit the once beaten Takeshi Ishii (8-1, 7) [石井武志] facing off with unbeaten Filipino John Kevin Jimenez (8-0, 3).
Ishii was bang on the divisional limit of 105lbs and looked in great shape, whilst sporting newly dyed blonde hair, which he explained was done "To get myself pumped”. To prepare for the bout be has been sparing international fighters, including recent world title challenger Alex Winwood and he explained "It was good sparring. I've gained confidence that I can compete on the world stage." Though he also had respect for the visitor, explaining "My opponent has amateur experience, and he's fast and decisive. I won't let him do what he wants." As for Jimenez he was way under the limit, at 103.4lbs, and he explained "I'm lighter than usual, but it's no problem. I'll give it 100% no matter how the fight goes. I'm fired up,"
In the main event we’ll see Katsuki Mori (12-3, 3) [森且貴] and Ryusei Matsumoto (3-0, 1) [松本流星] battle for the recently vacated Japanese Miinimumweight title. The bout, first announced as an eliminator, became a title bout when Yuni Takada (15-8-3, 6) [高田勇仁] vacated the belt. On the scales Mori was bang on the 105lb limit for what is his third shot at the Japanese title. He explained "I'm in the best shape I've ever been both physically and mentally. I'm also perfectly prepared to deal with southpaws." before adding "This is my third attempt, and I have made corrections to the things I have done wrong from the past. I am honoured to have been chosen to be in the main event of such an event. I would like to win and finish on a high note,"
As for Matsumoto, who is having his first professional title bout, he came in around 104.7lbs and explained "It's been a flash so far. My opponent is a strong-willed fighter, but I want to surpass him. I don't care about the content, but if I get the chance, I'll go for the win.". Notably is he wins here he will tie the achievement of Naoya Inoue and Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, among others, in winning a Japanese title in just his 4th professional bout.