Ginjiro Shigeoka Wants the Divisional Throne at 105!
Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0, 8 KOs) will make the first defense of the IBF minimumweight title against Jake Amparo (14-5-1, 3 KOs) at the International Conference Hall in Nagoya, Japan. The defending champion believes this upcoming fight is step one on his march to rule the division.
OVERCOMING DIFFICULT TIMES
Featured in 3kingsboxing.com’s Prospect Watch series, Shigeoka has been touted by observers of the lower-weight divisions for several years. However, things have not been a bed of roses for the 24-year-old resident of Tokyo, Japan.
There was an expectation from the boxing community that he would quickly win a world title after turning pro in September 2018. But his career has been riddled with inactivity due to injuries and circumstances beyond his control.
In his first world title shot, against then-IBF champion Daniel Valladares in January 2023, Shigeoka was left bitterly disappointed. The fight ended in a three-round no-contest when Valladares declined to continue after an accidental headbutt.
A rematch occurred in October 2023. This time around, Shigeoka would not be denied. He stopped Valladares in five to win the title.
ON A MISSION TO TAKE OVER
Now a world champion, the Japanese fighter is out to prove that he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Ginjiro’s upcoming fight will be on the same card as his older brother and reigning WBC 105-pound champion Yudai. During an exclusive interview with Ring Magazine, the IBF champion disclosed how he intends to collect all the belts in the division.
(Translated from Japanese) “It’s the starting point of a new era, and I am very excited for the new stages. I am very excited on how far I can go from this point.”
“Now the plan is to get four belts, two of each on strawweight classes, and after Yudai moves up to the next weight division, I will get all four belts in this weight class.”
Ginjiro is a fighter with all the physical tools to be the top fighter in the division. Fast and powerful, he’s one of the most explosive fighters in the sport.
But to make those dreams a reality, Shigeoka must take care of business against Amparo. If he can win on March 31 in Nagoya, he could be well on his way to accomplishing his desire to become the dominant force at 105.
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