Philippines, 07 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NEW DATE AND VENUE FOR PRIZEFIGHTER IN JAPAN IS OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED

PhilBoxing.com





Quarter-Finals will take place at Yamato Arena, Osaka, on Monday July 15

The eagerly awaited return of Prizefighter has officially been confirmed for Monday, July 15 – shown live on DAZN (excluding Asia).

The Quarter-Finals of the tournament will be held at Osaka’s Yamato Arena with WBC-OPBF Middleweight Champion Kuzuto Takesako replacing Anauel Ngamissengue in the line-up.

Japan’s knockout artist Takesako (16-2-1, 15 KOs) will be boxing in front of his home fans in his native Osaka when he collides with Britain’s Mark Dickinson (6-0, 2 KOs).

The Japanese Middleweight Title will be on the line too in an exciting rematch as Japan’s all-action. No.1 ranked Middleweight Riku Kunimoto (11-1, 5 KOs) defends his title against arch-rival Eiki Kani (8-4-3, 4 KOs). The pair squared off back in March, with Kunimoto victorious thanks to a sixth-round stoppage in Nagoya.

Britain’s reigning WBA Inter-Continental Middleweight champion Kieron Conway (20-3-1, 5 KOs) will kickstart his quest for glory when he faces a tough opponent in China’s Ainiwaer Yilixiati (19-1, 14 KOs) when the series kicks off.

And Aaron McKenna (18-0, 9 KOs) will be out to establish his future world title challenger credentials with ’The Silencer’ out to make a big impression in Japan. Ireland’s McKenna will face unbeaten, 23-year-old American-Puerto Rican Jeovanny Estela (14-0, 5 KOs).

The champion of the eight-man 2024 Prizefighter series will pocket a bumper $1million winners’ cheque.

The quarter-final draw was made back in January at a launch press conference in Tokyo, alongside Matchroom Boxing’s event partners Never Say Never (NSN) and Rakuten Ticket, Inc.
The three companies have committed to staging three major, world-class events per year over the next three years, featuring some of the best domestic and international fighters with the opening event of the competition hosting four bouts over 10 rounds.

“We are thrilled at the return of Prizefighter,” said Matchroom Boxing CEO, Frank Smith.

"The reaction so far has been brilliant. It is an exciting line-up of Middleweight fighters from all around the world.

"With the winner taking home $1million, it really is a life-changing opportunity for these fighters. May the best man win.”

Rakuten Ticket, Inc. President Joe Umemoto added: "We are truly excited to be a part of this historic moment, bringing world-class boxing to Japan in collaboration with Matchroom and NSN.

“This partnership reflects Rakuten Ticket's commitment to diversifying the sporting landscape in the country. The $1million Prizefighter series, featuring top middleweight contenders, will undoubtedly captivate fans not only in Japan but globally.

“Our collaboration underscores our dedication to supporting and promoting diverse and thrilling sports events. Get ready for an unforgettable experience on July 15."

President and founder of NSN, Joel Borràs said: “This marks a groundbreaking moment as Matchroom introduces top-tier boxing to Japan for the first time. This one-of-a-kind event will showcase the best Middleweights and captivate fans worldwide.

“We're thrilled to bring this historic spectacle to Japan. Matchroom's global influence in promoting boxing adds immense significance to this occasion. Don't miss the chance to witness history in the making, as fighters secure their legacies with this unprecedented million-dollar winners' prize.”

Each Fight Night in the series will also be incentivised with a bumper $100,000 knockout bonus on offer for successful fighters who stop their opponents inside the distance.

If there are four knockouts, for instance, the pot will be split accordingly meaning each fighter would pocket $25,000 each.

Further news can be found at matchroomboxing.com with updates on media credentials for fight week to be shared in due course.

Prizefighter Quarter-Final Draw in Full:

bull; Kunimoto vs Kani
bull; Dickinson vs Takesako
bull; Yilixiati vs Conway
bull; McKenna vs Estela

Meet the fighters:

bull; Riku Kunimoto (10-1, 4 KOs), Japan
bull; Eiki Kani (8-3-3, 4 KOs), Japan
bull; Kieron Conway (20-3-1, 5 KOs), England
bull; Mark Dickinson (6-0, 2 KOs), England
bull; Jeovanny Estela (14-0, 5 KOs), Puerto Rico
bull; Aaron McKenna (18-0, 9 KOs), Ireland
bull; Kuzuto Takesako (16-2-1, 15 KOs), Japan
bull; Ainiwaer Yilixiati (19-1, 14 KOs), China




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Polkinghorn, Pagara at the Scales in Perth, Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Young Briton Rising Star: Callum Dan's Quest for Boxing Glory
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Chua rules Pattaya Open; pockets $22,500
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • All Star Boxing live on ESPN DEPORTES Weights from Nicaragua
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Rozicki’s Return: Presser Quotes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Heavyweight Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo Returns to Headline “Havoc at the Hilton 3” March 7 in Florida
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • AQ Prime Chess bet Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City rules Elementary Division of NCR Palarong Pambansa Standard chess elims
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Battles Mexican Strongman Manuel Gallegos
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Travels to Thailand for 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Eddie Hearn Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall for New Matchroom Talent Agency
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect  Ebenezer “The Stuntman” Griffith
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • International Boxing Association Strengthens Strategic Presence in Cape Verde Following High-Level Official Visit
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Asia's First GM Eugene Torre 2nd in Russia chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Youth High Performance Team Announced
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Women’s Youth High Performance Team Announced
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Michael Linde rules Pangasinan chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • Team Philippines Crowned Champions of the 2026 Predator WPA Teams World Championship
    , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for radical reform of the Olympic Movement and equal rights for athletes
    , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.