Philippines, 02 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Shigeoka Brothers Had Eyes on Conquerors Since Three Years Ago


PhilBoxing.com



Pedro Taduran (R) overpowers Ginjiro Shigeoka last weekend.

Naghanap sila ng sarili nilang kapahamakan. They looked for their own misfortunes.

The Shiegoka fighting brothers Ginjiro and Yudai seemed to have tempted their own fate, with one after the other losing their world minimumweight titles against pre-chosen Filipino challengers.

It appeared that three years ago, with boxing normalizing in Japan, the handlers of the then world champion prospect fighting brothers had looked with interest, and envy I should add, at the bevy of Filipino fighters littering the 105 lbs class.

Back in August 2021, roving Japanese sports correspondent Soichi Hayashi who represented himself as publicist for the Shigeokas contacted this writer for "suitable opponents" for Yudai and especially Ginjiro who the Ring Magazine once featured as the new face to watch and then heavily touted as Japan's next world champion.

On top of my mind, I mentioned the names of Froilan Saludar, Rene Mark Cuarto, Melvin Jerusalem, Pedro Taduran, Arar Andales, Lito Dante, Clyde Azarcon and Mark John Rementizo.

However at that time Saludar was still WBA regular world titlist while Cuarto held the IBF crown so I said they were out of the discussion since both the Shigeoka brothers did not have the ratings high enough to challenge them. I said they could choose from the rest as suitable Filipino opponents.

Hayashi told me he will report the matter to Hiroshi Watanabe, the Shigeokas manager and get back to me asap.

The following day, Soichi e mailed again and said Yudai had already beaten Dante in 2019 but at light flyweight. He also said Mr. Watanabe could not commit as to the rest in the list as he was carefully moving the brothers up both with barely half a dozen pro fights at that stage.

Watanabe ostensibly had another plan and timetable to make the brothers world champions with carefully calculated risks and proper timing.


Melvin Jerusalem drops Yudai Shigeoka.

That came two years later in early 2023 when the Shigeoka brothers one after the other became interim world champions of IBF and WBA respectively with Ginjiro beating Mark Cuarto and Yudai defeating Wilfredo Mendez; by then already ex world titlists. It was Mendez who unseated Saludar the year before.

That set Ginjiro up against regular champion Daniel Valladares of Mexico who had earlier wrested the IBF crown from Cuarto and Yudai versus Thailand's Panya Pradabsri, conqueror of Wanheng Menayothin, for the WBA super belt. In December of 2023, the Shigeokas earned the distinction as the first fighting brothers to become world champions on the same day.

It seemed the Japanese duo's camp did not forget the other Filipinos on my list Especially, Jerusalen who had earlier become WBO world champion by knocking out Masataka Takayama, a stablemate of the Shigeokas.

Last March the brothers staked their world titles for the first time. Yudai picked Jerusalem as his first defense for the chance to avenge the loss. Ginjiro chose ArAr Andales who lost by technical decision in 2019 to the legendary Thai long time champion Wanheng Menayothin, denying him of TKO victory.

Yudai picked the wrong guy as he went down twice in dropping a points decision to Jerusalem, losing his WBA title.

Ginjiro was more fortunate as Andales was reportedly injured in training and had to be subbed by Jake Amparo, a previous wide points loser to Taduran. Ginjiro defended his IBF title by knockout over Amparo.

But Ginjiro's luck proved to run thin as Taduran had earned the mandatory challenger status to the IBF crown he once possessed until two unfortunate losses to Rene Cuarto.

But then, Ginjiro welcomed the challenge confident of beating Taduran who had lost twice to Cuarto, the man he easily stopped the year before.

He could not be more wrong.

Taduran pummeled him from pillar to post in pounding out a 9th round TKO victory and securing a second tenure as IBF world minimumweight champion.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round One: Dr. Bernard Remollino Brings Pancho Villa Back Into the Ring
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Panya Pradabsri, Carlos Cañizales Make Weight for WBC 108 World Title Rematch in Venezuela
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • “NOWHERE TO RUN” OSCAR “LA MIGRAÑA” DUARTE VS. KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Pabular to make 1st title defense on Aug. 12
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Tacurong excited to play in Buhangin slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Kenneth “Lover Boy” Llover vs Former Champ Luis “Nica” Concepcion August 17 in Manila!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Xiao Time: Where History Pulls No Punches
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Vargas Speaks After Retaining WBA Bantamweight Title in Gritty Battle with Daigo Higa in Japan
    , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • The “ATV” Plan is set for Undefeated Bay State Junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez
    , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Youth High Performance Team Captain Salim Ellis-Bey Takes the World Stage With One Goal in Mind
    , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Trainer Tommy Brooks Passes Away at 71
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Kyosuke Takami Stops Erick Rosa in 10, Becomes “The New” WBA 108 World Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Immanuwel Aleem Smashes His Way To WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Title and Inaugural DMV Belt With Spectacular 9th Round Stoppage Of Rival Demond Nicholson On Jeter Promotions Card
    , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • NP Bansalan will see action in Buhangin on Aug. 9
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Competition at 2025 Brandenburg Cup
    , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • Antonio Vargas Makes Weight, Set to Carry the USA Flag into World Title Showdown Against Daigo Higa in Japan
    , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • “The Homecoming” to be Headlined by Phenom Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Sept. 6 in Olathe, Kansas
    , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • Split-T Management Fighters Complete Perfect Weekend
    , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • Golden Boy Signs Top Mexican Light Heavyweight Prospect Yair “Manotas” Gallardo to Co-Promotional Deal with Miguel Cotto Promotions
    , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • 2-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • EVAN HOLYFIELD SET TO CONTINUE HIS COMEBACK THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, AT CHRISTY MARTIN’S “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
    , Tue, 29 Jul 2025
  • The Boss Punches In: Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz Prepares for USA Boxing International Debut
    , Tue, 29 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Icon Don Elbaum Passes Away at 97
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 29 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE: Andy Dominguez Defeats Byron Rojas by Split Decision To Win WBC USA Silver Light Flyweight Title on Atlantic City
    , Mon, 28 Jul 2025
  • ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI KNOCKS OUT ALBEIRO PAREDES IN SECOND ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 7 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Mon, 28 Jul 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.