Valladares On Shigeoka: “I Think We Can Take The Fight Out Of Him”

Valladares Eyeing Fight with Shigeoka in Japan!

Daniel Valladares eyes a fight with Ginjiro Shigeoka
Daniel Valladares (L, Credit: Facebook), Ginjiro Shigeoka (Credit: WBO)

Daniel Valladares In Negotiations to Face Ginjiro Shigeoka in 2023


Daniel Valladares (26-3-1, 15 KOs) is the reigning IBF minimumweight champion. Ginjiro Shigeoka (8-0, 6 KOs) is one of the fastest-rising fighters at 105-pounds. Are the two on a collision course?

During an interview with the Mexican boxing source izquierdazo.com, the champ revealed that he and his camp are at work getting ready for their first title defense. When asked about specifics, Valladares said that the upcoming fight likely will occur in the land of the Orient.

(Translated from Spanish) “There are talks that apparently we are going to Japan. He is promised, but we have not signed the contract.”

ASSESSING HIS POTENTIAL FOE

Shigeoka is the opponent of choice, with January 2023 as the targeted date. When asked about Shigeoka as a fighter, the champ showed respect, but fully believes he would beat him.

“He’s a kid with few fights. He has a strong hand, but I have faced rivals of his level, and I think we can take the fight out of him.”

Valladares won the title in July 2022 when he defeated Rene Mark Cuarto by a split decision. Word on the street was 28-year-old from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico was previously interested in a unification contest with WBA Regular champ Erick Rosa. But that bout now seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Featured in 3Kings Boxing’s Prospect Watch series, Shigeoka is one of the most promising fighters in the lower-weight divisions. Ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies (#1 WBC/#4 WBA & WBO, #5 IBF), the 22-year-old resident of Tokyo, Japan has been impressive up to this point. Boxing pundits have high hopes for the southpaw and believe he is a future world champion.

Nothing has been finalized, but signs are positive that the contract will eventually get signed and the fight becomes a done deal. Stay tuned to 3Kings Boxing for further updates.

By: Michael Wilson Jr.

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About Mike W.1943 Articles
Mike is the host of boxing podcast "Pound 4 Pound Boxing Report" and is a Senior Writer for 3kingsboxing.com.