Philippines, 27 Nov 2025
  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:

  • Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Petecio in, Paalam out
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Badenas TKO’s Saknosiwi in 10th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Las Vegas & California Amateurs Shine in a Powerful Fall Rumble Weekend Followed by a Heartfelt Turkey Drive for Local Families
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Santa Run Davao on December 14 at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Alec “The Rock” Del Rio Fights for WBC Asia Title Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Eumir, Weljohn put pros on hold
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Toronto Topples Cleveland, 110-99 for 8th Straight Win; Holds on to 2nd in the East
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • PPP Seniors & PWD Fun Run 2025 on Dec. 13 in Talomo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES A FULL SELLOUT AND BROADCAST DETAILS AHEAD OF U.S. DEBUT EVENT THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO IN TEMECULA, CALIF.
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Tomorrow Night's CB Promotions Card at The Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton is Postponed
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • PHL bids to host WB Congress
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Joel "Lethal" Lewis talks boxing evolution and upcoming Thunderdome 52 fight this Friday in Perth
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Granite Chin Promotions signs Milton pro boxer Jenn Perella
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Mabuhay at Salamat: ‘The Thirty’ Filipino Boxers Who Became Giants
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • World-ranked Lightweight Dynamo Justin Pauldo Collides with Hard-punching Nike Theran
    , Mon, 24 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.