Hiroto Kyoguchi Looking to Impress in His American Boxing Debut
WBA ‘Super’ World Light Flyweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0, 9 KOs) is one of the best fighters in the lower-weight divisions. He is already a two-division world champion. But he is a man and a fighter with even greater aspirations. In December of 2020, he signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing. Now the 27-year-old resident of Tokyo, Japan is on the verge of making his United States debut.
Kyoguchi makes his third defense of the WBA 108-pound title against Axel Aragon Vega (14-3-1, 8 KOs) on March 13 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The bout will air live on DAZN. On March 5, the champ and his team held an online press conference at the Narita airport in Tokyo shortly before boarding a flight to the United States.
JOURNEY TO THE WEST
Speaking to local Japanese media, he said he is currently 3 kg (6.6 lbs) above the 108-division limit. Kyoguchi said he is going to eat properly during the long flight to Texas. His traveling team will consist of six members. It includes Japanese strawweight champion Masataka Taniguchi, who will serve as the champ’s chief sparring partner. To adjust to conditions in the United States, Team Kyoguchi will work with the Japanese Association in Dallas. They will provide food and other services. With this being his first fight in the United States for a new promotional company, there is pressure. However, the champ said he is ready for the challenge.
(translated from Japanese) “It’s hard to stand on the stage of the United States, and there aren’t many champions who have stood in the American ring. I’m grateful and I want to do my best. I want to fight a match that interests people.”
Hiroto Kyoguchi has dreams of expanding his brand. He is not satisfied with being a world champion who just fights exclusively on home soil. He is trying to follow the footsteps of compatriot and IBF/WBA ‘Super’ World 118-pound titleholder, Naoya Inoue. The mission is to become a mainstream, lower-weight attraction. Step one towards that goal begins against Vega in Texas on DAZN.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
