The land of the rising sun is often referred to as the land of the warriors. A nation built on pride and integrity as well as combat in many guises. The Japanese fighting scene is often overlooked by many and does not get the recognition or acknowledgement it deserves by many in the west. This weekend up coming ( 20-21 may) whilst the world will have eyes glued to the action happening in the UK and the U.S with Gervonta Davis v Liam Walsh and Terrence Crawford v Felix Diaz respectively. Japan across the two days has not one or two world title fights, but SIX across the two days on three different promotions. The titles feature some of the respective division?s premier champions and Japan?s biggest names and talents.
Firstly on Saturday the 20th on the Hatanaka Promotions event being held in Nagoya see?s the youngest world champion in boxing make the first defence of his WBO world light-flyweight title. Kosei Tanaka (8-0) who is still only 21 years old and a former undefeated WBO minimum world champion also, faces Angel Acosta (16-0) who has a 100% KO ratio to boot. This bout is a mandatory defence for Tanaka and is arguably the toughest task of his career to date.
Also fighting on the 20th of May fighting on a promotion held in Tokyo and hosted by Teiken Promotions see?s three world title bouts with three Japanese fighters challenging for the respective titles on the promotion.
Juan Hernandez Navarrete (34-2) of Mexico will defend his WBC world flyweight title for the first time against Daigo Higa (12-0). This bout has the potential to be an barnstormer with both men reluctant to fight on the back foot and like to meet head on in the ring. Both men have reputations as punchers with Navarrete having 25 stoppages to his name and the 21 year old Higa possessing 12 stoppages out of 12 fights. Navarrete captured the title whilst it was vacant in March of this year against Thailand?s Nawaphon Por Chokchai.
Ganigan Lopez (28-6) of Mexico defend?s his WBC world light-flyweight title for the second time when he faces Ken Shiro (9-0) on the same bill. Shiro will be challenging for his first world title after claiming domestic and continental title glory and will be the younger man by 10 years in comparison to the champion Lopez.
The most intriguing fight to many i feel is the match-up for the vacant WBA ?regular? middleweight world title between Hassan N?Dam and Ryota Murata, the title was previously held by Danny Jacobs. Hassan N?Dam has been one of the top contenders in the middleweight ranks for 7-8 years now and last time out had a knockout of the year contender against Alfonso Blanco in December inside 35 seconds. Hassan at 34 has held the WBA interim title and WBO interim at times during his career and a challenger previously for the once vacant IBF title. Every-time Hassan has stepped up to true elite level twice against Peter Quillan and David Lemieux and been defeated twice. Ryota Murata on the other hand is facing a huge step up in calibre of opponent. A former London 2012 gold medal winner here is no question to his skill set and technique, however Murata is now 31 years old and has only had 12 fights in five years as a profesional. Many would argue that he dose not need the typical build up fights or learning fights because of his ability and aggression when he sense the end. A defeat for N?Dam would surly indicate the end of the road of the Frenchman, but victory would open door?s to return to the top table of the middleweight ranks. Murata is almost at a cross roads himself as this bout will surly be the easiest route for him into claiming a world title.
Sunday the 21st see?s two world title bouts taking place in Tokyo also on a promotion held by Ohashi Promotions. In my opinion the world?s premier super-flyweight world champion Naoya Inoue (12-0) returns to the ring in a defence of his WBO super-flyweight world title against Ricardo Rodriguez. Inoue will be looking to impress in this bout following his entertaining battle in December with domestic rival and former world champion Kohei Kono. An impressive victory against Rodriguez is key with promoter?s Ohashi targeting and virtually confirming an U.S debut in September for the ?Monster?. Inoue has been targeting a clash with Roman Gonzalez for the last 12 month and an impressive showing in the U.S will surly bring that closer to reality. My personal pick would be to see a clash of Inoue vs WBA world champion Kal Yafai.
Akira Yaegashi defends his IBF light-flyweight world title against mandatory challenger Milan Melindo who is also the IBF interim champion. Yaegashi is one of Japan?s boxing icons with being a three weight world champion and faces one of his toughest tasks for a few years. Melindo is a former world title challenger himself having faced Juan Francisco Estrada and Javier Mendoza previously at light-flyweight in title bouts although in defeat.
