Ginjiro Shigeoka Earns Rematch with Valladares with Rene Cuarto Stoppage
Newly crowned IBF Interim minimumweight titlist Ginjiro Shigeoka (9-0, 7KO), after stopping former champion “Mighty Mouse” Rene Mark Cuarto (21-4-2, 12KO), will get another shot at IBF champion Daniel Valladares.
SHIGEOKA BEAT DOWN CUARTO WITH BODY SHOTS
A 3kingsboxing.com 2019 prospect to watch, Shigeoka proved why he was worthy of attention in the fight with Cuarto. Things started a little rough as the overzealous young fighter was knocked down in the first round from a straight right hand while going backward with his chin exposed.
After getting off the canvas, Shigeoka took control of the fight by working behind the jab and went on an all-out body attack with the right hook. He used a power jab to blind the former champion before landing those hooks with pinpoint accuracy.
Mighty Mouse had a rough time trying to keep up with the speed and footwork of Shigeoka. He suffered a cut below the left eye and one above the right eye from accidental headbutts. As the fight continued, Shigeoka’s body attack was too much for Cuarto, who tasted the canvas in round seven. In round nine, he crumbled twice from brutal body shots before the referee waved off the contest.
BRING ON THE CHAMPION
The Japanese sensation has been itching to get another shot at Daniel Valladares. On January 6, Shigeoka engaged in a battle for the title but got denied after a clash of heads left the champion unable to continue, resulting in the fight ending in no-contest. The IBF previously ruled that Cuarto was to fight the winner.
This author feels Shigeoka was en route to winning the title. He was having his way with the champion in the opening three rounds, before it ended. Now the holder of the IBF interim title, he is undoubtedly eager for a second shot at the title.
