Philippines, 21 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PRIZEFIGHTER FINAL FOUR CONFIRMED AS CONWAY AND MCKENNA SET-UP SEMI-FINAL

PhilBoxing.com





Kieron Conway, Aaron McKenna, Kazuto Takesako and Riku Kunimoto remain in the hunt for the $1m winners’ prize after their Quarter-Final victories in Osaka

Prizefighter returned with a bang in Osaka, Japan, as four fighters took a huge stride closer to a $1million winners’ cheque.

Kieron Conway, Aaron McKenna, Kazuto Takesako and Riku Kunimoto all secured their place in the Semi-Finals with victories at the Yamato Arena as the Middleweight competition got underway earlier today – live on DAZN.

Britain’s Mark Dickinson (6-1, 2 KOs) suffered disappointment in his Quarter-Final contest, however, with the North-East native losing out to Japan’s Takesako (17-2-1, 15 KOs) in what was the fight of the tournament so far.

In a thrilling 10-round encounter, it was Takesako who had his hand raised with a unanimous points victory as the judges scored the hard-fought bout 96-94, 97-93 and 98-92.

Triumphant Takesako can now look forward to an intriguing last four rematch with fellow countryman Kunimoto, who celebrated back-to-back wins over Eiki Kani in front of his home fans in Osaka by stopping his compatriot in the fifth round.



Northampton puncher Conway (21-3-1, 6 KOs), meanwhile, opened the tournament with an impressive stoppage of his own over China’s Ainiwaer Yilixiati (19-2-0, 14 KOs) when the referee stepped in to halt the proceedings in the seventh.

Conway later went face-to-face in the ring with his next opponent Aaron McKenna, as the undefeated Northern Irishman (19-0,10 KOs) silenced America rival Jeovanny Estela (14-1, 5 KOs) with just 58 seconds left on the clock in the final round to earn his share of the $100,000 knockout bonus spoils.

Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith saluted the winning fighters as he hailed the return of the popular series.

“It has been a special week here in Japan and tonight showed us why we’re in for a tremendous tournament,” said Smith.

“With three stoppages, the fighters are already reaping the Prizefighter rewards with a share of the knockout bonus and four of them are now another step closer to taking home the $1m winners’ cheque.

“Young Mark Dickinson rolled the dice and he’ll no doubt come again after his defeat. But for the likes of Kieron Conway, Aaron McKenna, Kazuto Takesako and Riku Kunimoto everything is up for grabs.

“We are incredibly grateful to our partners Rakuten Ticket Inc., and NSN (Never Say Never) as we now look ahead to the Semi-Finals.”

Details of when the Semi-Finals will take place are set to be announced in due course.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Filipino grabs second place in the National Canada Chess Challenge 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Spotlight on Mexico City: boxers speak ahead of IBA Pro 18
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 0 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND DARREN BARKER ANNOUNCES 'THE LONGEST ROUND' – A WORLD-FIRST ENDURANCE CHALLENGE FOR MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • IBA stands ready to organise Jon Jones professional boxing fight in Russia
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Eight More Wins on Day Two at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • QC ends PCAP Season 6 All-Filipino conference campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • It’s in the blood
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • “The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Rematch option for Melvin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
    , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 May 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.