Naoya Inoue (12-0, 10) [井上 尚弥] may not be sticking around at Super Flyweight for too much longer, following Roman Gonzalez's recent loss, the talented "Monster" is said to be preparing for a May defence of his title, before considering a move up to Bantamweight. Sadly when you hit like a monster you tend to struggle to get durable sparring partners at the same weight. As a result, Inoue has been sparring with Teiru Atsumi (12-1, 6) [テイル渥美], who is a highly regarded Japanese based Korean Featherweight who has had success at Super Featherweight. According to sources Inoue hasn't only looked great in those sessions, showing a more mature against the significantly bigger man, but has looked vicious with Atsumi said to have been clearly hurt by Inoue in the spar. That's a man who is 3, or 4, divisions bigger than Inoue and is a tough strong fighter himself. Inoue gave quotes to the media recently saying that he is starting to work on punching and blocking, working on his guard and defence and it seems likely that a move up in weight is imminent. When he does move up he will have to be more defensively cautious and it seems like that's already in his mind, planning ahead now for that move. As for Inoue's next bout, an announcement is expected shortly. http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-n...-teiru-atsumi-ahead-of-upcoming-title-defense
Naoya Inoue to make US debut in September! Naoya Inoue (12-0, 10) [井上 尚弥] would be defending his title on May 21st in Tokyo, taking on Ricardo Rodriguez (16-3, 5). It seems that that bout wasn't the first choice option for Inoue, with the "Monster's" team stating they had tried to set up a unification bout with IBF champion Jerwin Ancajas and they had also looked into having a bout with WBA Bantamweight champion Zhanat Zhakiyanov. Although about with Rodriguez isn't as big news as some would have hoped for the announcement of Inoue's next bout did come with some solid plans for the Monster's next step, which will be to make his US debut in September. At the moment it's unclear who Inoue will be fighting in September but the options seem to be a non-title fight, as he rises to Bantamweight or a final defence of the belt. After that, they Ohashi team have stated they are looking to claim a Bantamweight title in December, possibly against Zhakiyanov. Given the dates and timings, it's unlikely that Inoue will face WBC Bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka (27-0-2, 19) [山中慎介] in 2017, though the option to have that fight as a potential 2018 unification bout cannot be ruled out as it would be a genuine super fight next year. Though issues with TV contracts would need to be sorted for the bout to be held. http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/naoya-inoue-to-make-us-debut-in-september
On April 9th we'll see Shun Kubo (11-0, 8) [久保隼] challenge WBA regular Super Bantamweight champion Nehomar Cermeno (26-5-1-1, 15) in what will be Kubo's first world title challenge. Today, ahead of that bout, Kubo took part in a public training session The young challenger spoke to the media and explained that he had been talking a lot to former 3-weight champion Hozumi Hasegawa, and had been encouraged by the recently retired legend. Kubo stated that his weight loss had been good and that he had been doing a lot of cooking for himself to help control the calories he'd taken in. His team also seemed like they were confident that Kubo as in the best condition of his boxing life. The training session saw Kubo doing some shadowboxing, working the mitts with his trainer. He looked sharp and in good condition at the workout, but of course, there is a whole world of difference between working the mitts and facing off with an opponent like Cermeno. As mentioned recently, fans who are hoping to watch this bout live will have to tune into Kansai TV on Sunday, with KTV being the only channel set to how the bout live. http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/shun-kubo-takes-part-in-open-training-session
Back in January, we saw Kyotaro Fujimoto (16-1, 8) [藤本 京太郎] create a little slice of history as he became the first Japanese-born fighter to become the OPBF Heavyweight champion. In May he will attempt to solidify his position as he returns to the ring in an attempt to make his first defence of the title. The Kadoebi House fighter will be looking to defend his title on May 8th, at the Korakuen Hall, against Australian-based Samoan-born challenger Herman Ene-Purcell (12-5, 6), who will be making his first OPBF title challenge. The talented Fujimoto claimed the title on January 14th when he outboxed the big punching Willie Nasio for the belt, dropping Nasio on route to the win. Against Purcell, we're expecting to see a difference tactic being required from Fujimoto, with Purcell being less cumbersome and less heavy-handed than Nasio. Although the bout is the main event there will be a number of notable fighters on the undercard, including Akinori Watanabe (33-6, 28) [渡部あきのり] and Shoma Fukumoto (10-1, 8) [福本 祥馬], both of whom fought on the undercard of Fujimoto's title win. http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/kyotaro-to-defend-opbf-heavyweight-title-on-may-8th
Nonaka out, Kamegai in for Cotto in June? Earlier this week we reported that Japanese veteran Yuki Nonaka (31-8-3, 10) [野中 悠樹] had been linked to a fight with former multi-weight champion Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33). It now seems that Nonaka is out of that prospective bout, likely following a lot of fans wondering who Nonaka was. Although Nonaka is out that doesn't that our interest in Cotto's next bout is dead, instead, it seems like Cotto will be facing Nonaka's countryman Yoshihiro Kamegai (27-3-2, 24) [亀海喜寛] on June 24th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Although Nonaka, and his fans, will feel disappointed in the fact his name was linked to a Cotto bout and then dropped, almost in the blink of the eye, it's fair to say that a Cotto Vs Kamegai bout would mean more, and would likely be very entertaining. Of course, Cotto will be strongly favoured against Kamegai but with Kamegai's ability to make even a one-sided loss fun to watch it'll likely be hard to not be at least a little bit entertained by the contest. Of course Kamegai is well known in the West, having faced a string of notable names and having been in several FOTY candidates, two of which came against Jesus Soto Karass, and for Cotto it makes a lot more sense to face Kamegai, in an all action fan friendly bout, than to face Nonaka, an unknown outside of Japan. The story is still not confirmed but sources in Puerto Rico, including http://elvocero.com/, seem confident that the bout is a done deal and will be announced in the near future with ROC Nation being the promoter of the event. http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/nonaka-out-kamegai-in-for-cotto-in-june
A few from China Hong Kong have Rex Tso Vietnam has a small but growing domestic scene now - Tran Van Thao for example
Heavyweight from Uzbekistan Mirzohidjon Abdullaev has turned pro.He is 6′0½ feet tall and is 25 years old.He beat Dostonbek Erkinov on the 9 April card via 2 round tko.He has competed in WSB and has won against Andrey Afonin by wide ud.In 2010 he competed in Asian Games and was 5Th in the end.He got to the 2 round of World Championships in 2011 losing to Terver Pulev by a 9/7 scoreline.In 2013 he competed in Universiad and earned the bronze medal.In 2014 Asian games he got to semi final stage. Here are his fights from the amateurs: This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected
The light heavyweight prospect from China Fanlong Meng has moved up to the cruiserweight division.He will face Brad Austin in the US.Fanlong Meng is a big puncher and is 6′ 2″ feet tall.
