Daniel Valladares v Daniel Shigeoka Lands in Japan in January 2023!
On October 11, 3Kings Boxing reported that reigning IBF minimumweight champion Daniel Valladares (26-3-1, 15 KOs) was deep in negotiations to face Japan’s Ginjiro Shigeoka (8-0, 6 KOs). Valladares and Shigeoka have now agreed to terms and will fight on January 6, 2023, at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.
EXPERIENCE VERSUS YOUTH
The champ is a hardened veteran, having gone through the rigors of the Mexican boxing circuit. After years of relative obscurity, the 28-year-old from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico broke through in July of 2022 when he scored a split-decision win over Rene Mark Cuarto to capture the IBF belt. In that fight, Valladares had to overcome a nasty gash over his left eye but gutted it out to outbox Cuarto.
Next is his first defense of the title against a Shigeoka, a fighter heavily hyped by observers of the lower weights. After a decorated amateur career, the 22-year-old has been impressive in the pros.
HOW DO THEY SIZE UP?
Consistency and determination are what define Valladares. The defending champ does not stand out in one specific area but is solid in all aspects of the game. Shigeoka is explosive. Standing only five feet tall, the challenger is short for the division. However, the resident of Tokyo, Japan compensates with his quickness, fast hands, and punching power. He uses those attributes to dart in and out with hard punches to the head and body.
A win for Valladares would be quite a notch on his belt and show he’s a champion with staying power. Shigeoka has the pressure of a nation on his shoulders. Japanese pundits have tabbed him as a future star. Is he the real deal? It all makes for quite an intriguing battle.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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