☆The Japanese Boxing Thread - Inoue wins; Olympic gold medallist Murata in action!☆

[kosaros]

Originally Posted by JFT96

What's happening with Hazegawa anyway after the upset vs Gonzalez? I always thought that the jump up to featherweight after Montiel was a hasty decision, I don't see why he felt the need to bypass super-bantamweight. I wouldn't mind seeing him drop down to 122- a fight with Poonsawat would be quality IMO.

He was going to return last month, but I think he injured his ribs (?) and had to postpone.

Last I heard was that it would be rescheduled for Feb/March time. However, he's staying at featherweight...

[Flea Man]

Originally Posted by JFT96

What's happening with Hazegawa anyway after the upset vs Gonzalez? I always thought that the jump up to featherweight after Montiel was a hasty decision, I don't see why he felt the need to bypass super-bantamweight. I wouldn't mind seeing him drop down to 122- a fight with Poonsawat would be quality IMO.

In fact he'd been planning that move for quite a while (I'd never heard of him moving to 122, only to 126) and last I heard he was due to fight an undefeated Mexican around Xmas, but it got put back due to an injury.

A lot of Japanese boxers turn over after a devastating loss (well, I've certainly seen many examples of this) but Hozumi seems determined. I think he'll come back and will still grab some quality scalps.

Chris; Watanabe is ace, but sometimes lackadaisical. Check out his first fight with Thai Olympian (and super fly titlist) Payao Poontarat and let me know how you scored it

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSwuyn6aneE[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdgtkjlTRrk[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mjkkAviO40[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUFUqdzXm9I[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSh9c5DFEPg[/ame]

Kos, I'm just uploading Koji Kobayashi losing the WBC (lineal) Flyweight championship to Bernal. When it's done I'll post some stuff of him up, already uploaded one of his fights to youtube (amazing quality, it astounded me) and can upload his title winning fight against Cerdeno if anyone cares

[Boro chris]

Flea.

Had it to Watanabe by a round (7th a draw) but he really had to pull it out of the fire with that excellent finish against a very strong opponent. Good fight.

[kosaros]

Originally Posted by Flea Man

Kos, I'm just uploading Koji Kobayashi losing the WBC (lineal) Flyweight championship to Bernal. When it's done I'll post some stuff of him up, already uploaded one of his fights to youtube (amazing quality, it astounded me) and can upload his title winning fight against Cerdeno if anyone cares

Good stuff; I'll update the first page when you've posted it

[BoxingAnalyst]

Top notch thread! Uchiyama-Gamboa should be a quality fight. I would tip Gamboa to get the W but Uchiyama is a good operator with enough power and ability to give Yuriorkis problems.

[Flea Man]

Originally Posted by Boro chris

Flea.

Had it to Watanabe by a round (7th a draw) but he really had to pull it out of the fire with that excellent finish against a very strong opponent. Good fight.

See, you're not the first to edge to him but I must be alone: I had the Thai doing all the clean punching for the first 7 rounds.

In their 2nd, Jiro turns up focused and it's a lot more fun IMO.

[Boro chris]

Originally Posted by Flea Man

See, you're not the first to edge to him but I must be alone: I had the Thai doing all the clean punching for the first 7 rounds.

In their 2nd, Jiro turns up focused and it's a lot more fun IMO.

Oh its close allright. I'm sure there's some peeps out there who thought Poontarat won. I just liked Watanabe's strong finish. Actually Poontarat is a really strong argument against the box rec warrior. His record is a very ordinairy
10-3 but he was clearly a skilled boxer and a pretty strong one at that.
Just seen the 2nd fight and again Poontarat put in a determined effort, sadly not quite good enough.
Will now have a look for Watanabes loosing effort against Roman.

[Flea Man]

I'll put that on YouTube tomorrow (the Roman fight) as Teeto has requested it just this morning so it's now officially in demand

As for the Thai, he was Siam's first Olympic medallist (Bronze) and beat a past-his-best but still good Guty Espedas (worth a watch, on YouTube) and had a very close one with Orono to take the title. This is why Jiro never 'ducked' Khaosai: he chose to unify with Poontarat, but one of 'em was stripped (Jiro I think)

Poontarat soon fizzled out. He lost to a debuting fighter in his final fight, a quality Muay Thai fighter who would go on to do the distance twice in 'World' title fights with Roman and Khaosai. Kongtonaree Payakaroon; brother of Samart.

[HMSTempleGarden]

Originally Posted by kosaros

Apparently Ioka and his team are trying to get a unification fight sorted with WBA champion Akira Yaegashi in a big all-Japan showdown. If that doesn't materialise, then I think Ioka will move up.

By the way, did you know that Ioka on just his debut had over 8,000 spectators watching him in the arena? He's a popular lad in Japan

yeah mate I've seen all his fights and did a bit of digging on him.

A move up won't hamper him either, he has good skills, good power and all round good warrior attitude.

I think he can perhaps go up to 3 weight divisions and still become successful.

[Flea Man]

Who's this Ioka kid? Full summary please.

[HMSTempleGarden]

Originally Posted by Flea Man

Who's this Ioka kid? Full summary please.

Kazuto Ioka - won the WBC Strawweight title in only his 7th fight totally destroyed the guy

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgn5zuSz6fA[/ame]

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Massive draw in Japan, eight-time national amateur champion final record was 95-10 (64).

First title defence

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9b7bcpEb98[/ame]

Fight prior to winning JPA title

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSDM6B0izYk[/ame]

Last fight against Chalermchai on 31st December 2011 - 2nd title defence

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTzrVvCGdsY[/ame]

Kid is going places, if he doesn't fight the other Japanese fighter or Joyi then a move up to fight Marquez will do me!


He has a great attitude, fighting heart, power and looks like he could up a few divisions and still pick up titles.

[chatty]

Can't believe this thread has made it to the second page (40 post counts) without mention of Koki Kameda. ESB is losing it

[chatty]

Anyway back on subject, Yoshihiro Kamegai looks an exciting boxer who should arrive in the next year or so. His fights are so exciting even the referee likes to get involved:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ3eDKr0xPg[/ame]

[Flea Man]

Cheers lads and sweet body shot in the first vid'. But, and excuse the pun but I'm not big on Straw weights Sorry!

[HMSTempleGarden]

Originally Posted by Flea Man

Cheers lads and sweet body shot in the first vid'. But, and excuse the pun but I'm not big on Straw weights Sorry!

I think he will move up to light fly within the next 18 months