Katsunari Takayama (23W-4L, 9 KO?s) of Japan will face Tshepo Lefele (17W-3L, 11 KO?s) of South Africa at the Carnival City, Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa in a 12 round IBF minimumweight title eliminator this September 1.
Last May, Takayama was signed up by ALA Promotions of Cebu and was scheduled to fight in Mandaue City. But he injured his right wrist while jogging when he fell down trying to avoid an incoming vehicle.
The 27 year old Takayama is a former WBC/WBA minimumweight champ but lost his last fight in July 2009 to Roman Gonzales of Nicaragua. He has set his sights on the IBF world title held by Nkosinathi Joyi of South Africa and a victory against Lefele will put him in line for a title shot.
The 30 year old Lefele beat Filipino Elmer Gejon in 2005 for the vacant WBC International minimumweight title by majority decision. He lost the title to another Filipino, Gabriel Pumar of Lapulapu City, who now goes by the name BoomBoom Toei, by seventh round TKO in 2006. Lefele currently holds the South African minimumweight title.
Ken Matsumoto, who manages Takayama, told Philboxing.com yesterday that his protege is in the best condition possible for the fight, and will bring “good news to Philippine boxing fans”, referring to the boxer’s Pinoy fans who have seen him train at the ALA Gym. Takayama aims to win title belts in the IBF and WBO, breaking from his country?s tradition, as Japan officially recognizes only the WBC and WBA.
