Sho Kimura Returns For The First Time Since Upset Over Shimming

Earlier this year little known Japanese fighter Sho Kimura,15-1-2 8KO, scored a huge upset when he went to China and beat WBO flyweight champion Zou Shiming by knockout. The WBO almost immediately ordered him to make a mandatory defense against fellow Japanese fighter, and former WBC champion, Toshiyuki Igarashi, 23-2-3 12KO.

The bout will take place onDecember 31stand has been added to the previously announced Watanabe card, which will feature a Light Flyweight unification bout between WBA champion Ryoichi Taguchi and IBF champion Milan Melindo as well as an IBF Minimumweight title bout between Hiroto Kyoguchi and Carlos Buitrago.

Thefightwill be Kimura’s firsttitledefense and will see him looking to score his third stoppage win of the year. He’s hopingtosolidify his place as a top Flyweight, rather than a man who beatwhat some considered anover-hyped Shiming. For Igarashi the bout is a chance to become a 2-time champion following a short run as the WBC title holder in 2012-2013.Ot also willbe his toughest bout since his title loss to Akira Yaegashi.Since losing the WBC title Igarashi has gone 6-0-2 (2) withan abnormal4 technical decisions during that run.​