Watanabe Promotions Presents A Great Card
This past September fans of the US. were able to experience the furiousness of Japan’s own Naoya Inoue in his US debut. He failed to disappoint with a win over opponent Antonio Nieves via tko after six rounds of total domination. But this isn’t about that, it’s about what Japan has to offer the boxing world.
On December 31st Watanabe Promotions presents us with an action packed event. The World Triple Title Match will be held at the Ota-City General Gymnasium. This card brings us three exciting bouts.
Hiroto Kyoguchi who is 8-0-0 with 6 of his wins via knockout, will be defending his IBF World Minimum Weight Title for the first time vs Carlos Buitrago (30-2-1, 17-KOs) from Nicaragua. Kyoguchi won his IBF Title back in July with a unanimous decision over Jose Argumedo. Kyoguchi made his presence felt as he became a world champion just 15 months after his pro debut. He can very well be the new face of Watanabe Gym.
Sho Kimura ( 15-1-0, 8-KOs) will make a mandatory title defense against fellow countrymen Toshiyuki Igarashi (23-2-3, 12-KOs) putting his WBO World Flyweight Title on the line. Kimura will be defending his WBO for the first time as well since upset his win over Zou Shiming. Kimura definitely proved he is ready to fight after suffering a cut in the second round he still continued to press the action and make Shiming quit in the 11th.
The main event, Ryoichi Taguchi (26-2-2, 12-KOs) will be defending his WBA Super Lightweight Title against IBF Champion Milan Melindo (37-2-0, 13-KOs) of the Philippines. Melindo scored a first round tko win over Akira Yaegashi for the IBF Flyweight Title. Immediately demanding a unification title-fight. After winning a split decision over Hekkie Budler, Melindo’s wish was granted. Taguchi who had a mandatory defense in July vs Robert Barrera, reminded everyone how good he is winning via TKO. This will be Taguchi’s seventh title defense as he continues to keep the legacy of great champions going for Watanabe Gym.
Exciting to watch and totally serious, Japan continues to please the boxing world.
By: Samuel Rivera Jr.
