Masayuki Ito looking to get back into the title hunt!
On the under-card of unified junior welterweight champion Jose Ramirez’s (25-0, 17ko) title defense against former WBC champion Viktor Postol (31-2, 12ko) is an intriguing match-up that deserves our attention.
Former WBO junior lightweight champion Masayuki Ito (26-2-1, 14ko) will face Chinese prospect Yongqiang Yang (13-0, 10ko). He will need this victory if he wants to remain in the hunt for another championship run.
The Japanese former champion has been looking to get back the title since he lost it to Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring in May. He immediately bounced back four months later with a six-round knockout victory over unknown Ruben Manakane in front of his home crowd.
Ito will have to focus fully on the task at hand before even thinking about getting revenge or a title. A loss to an un-ranked fighter would be a major set back.
Yang is being given a career-changing opportunity. This is undoubtedly his biggest step up since defeating veteran fighter and former Ito victim, Takuya Watanabe back in 2018.
The 27-year-old will enjoy having a home-field advantage in this fight. Therefore, the cheers from the crowd will serve as a major motivator.
INTERESTING FACTS
Ito will be fighting in China for the first time in his career. Alternatively, his counterpart will be fighting in Mission Hills Arena against a former champion for the first time.
The fight will be broadcast from Mission Hills Haikou, Haikou, China on February 2 live on ESPN.
By: Garrisson Bland
