Hasegawa captures WBC FW belt in war - Jhonny Gonzalez next in a fight long overdue

Hasegawa (28-3) to face Juan Carlos Burgos (25-0) for some kind of WBC FW belt

Okay, so it seems Hasegawa will now face WBC #1 and undefeated Juan Carlos Burgos for the vacant 126lbs belt on November 26, in Tokyo, Japan. That's one helluve first fight at the new weight class for the former BW ruler vs. the 22 year-old Mexican puncher, but the title situation for me is not clear. Fightnews reports that it will be for the WBC belt, most likely because Rojas is out with an injury, so I'd say the winner is expected to face Elio right after their fight, but it might just go for the interim or silver version, who knows.

But it is official, Hasegawa joins the awesome featherweight mix and this is some kickstart to his new career, I only hope he recovered 100% physically and mentall from his devestating, jaw breaking loss. He's one helluva fighter.

 

Nah, Hasegawa is no chinny guy though sometimes situations like this can effect punch resistence. He's never been knocked down - neither by Montiel - and he got caught flush to an already broken jaw, plus - and that is what pisses me off ever since - Hozumi decided to grab on the ropes not to go down, offering his chin to Fernando to finish the job, damn damn bad move. I mean WTF? Still, moments later he was absolutely conscious and knew exactly what's going on, the fight was just over. So tough situation, but the toughest of all might be the injury preventing him to get back into the ring right away, but he's the kind of guy who's mentally strong enough to come out with something positive. After all, he was leading on the cards and you can't do nothing about a broken jaw (reportedly broken in the very 1st round).

I don't know much about Burgos to be honest, but I'll surely look up for some of his fights. Go Hozumi!

 

Hozumi Hasegawa (28-3) to face Juan Carlos Burgos (25-0) for vacant WBC 126lbs world title on Friday!

When's former BW champion & no1 fighter out of Japan steps in the ring this Friday, he'll be facing severar challenges. The speedy southpaw has to overcome family tragedy as his mother passed away a couple of weeks ago in a bad year for Hozumi, who lost the 118lbs belt by TKO to Fernando Montiel, and got his jaw broken. The physical challenge will be also big: Hasegawa, who had troubles making 118, jumps up not one but two divisions so that he doesn't have to face his body and fellow southpaw technician Toshiaki Nishioka. And of course the challenge itself is presented by the opponent, unbeaten Mexican puncher Juan Carlos Burgos, the nephew of Victor Burgos. They are fighting for the vacant WBC featherweight belt as fine champion Elio Rojas is out with health problems. The fight takes place in Tokyo Japan and the undercard has a nice fight too between WBC SFW champ Vitali Tajbert, and former FW champ Takahiro Aoh, who was dethroned by Rojas.

The card is an excellent opener to this Wicked Weekend packed with top action, and when the fight is over, the featherweight division will surely have another major player. Will former top BW and P4P-er Hasegawa bring his southpaw magic to 126lbs and join the JuanMa-John-Caballero-Gamboa parade, or will the 22yo Burgos step out of the shadows and step in former Mexican FW greats shoes, such as Barrera, Morales or Marquez? Just a few days and we're gonna find out.

 

Today's press conference quotes:

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JUAN CARLOS BURGOS

About his arrival to Japan and his preparation for the fight.

“I am happy to be in Japan, they have treated my team and me nicely and made us feel at home. This has been a tough camp for me since I really made the necessary effort to be ready for a world title fight, but it was a great training camp and I have to thank my team for getting me fight-ready.”

His thoughts on Hasegawa and the fight itself

“To me Hasegawa is like any other fighter: two legs, two feet, two hands, and one head. But he has a huge heart. I know that because he recently lost his mother and I take my hat off to him for never backing down from this fight. He is an inspiration to us all for doing something like that and I have expressed my deepest condolences to him and his family, but at the end of the day we are both professional boxers and we must compete.”

“I have all the desire to become world champion and Hasegawa will not shatter my dream. He won’t take that away from me. I have waited my whole life for an opportunity like this and it’s only a matter of hours until I can make it a reality.”

About the fans and the type of fight he expects

“Hasegawa was a great bantamweight champion but I want to leave a lasting impression in Japan. I want to show the fans that I can be a great boxer and I want to impress them. I know that having a name on my resume like Hasegawa’s will speak volumes of me and I can guarantee to those attending the event that we will give them their monies worth.”



HOZUMI HASEGAWA

About his preparation and his opponent Juan Carlos Burgos

“Training was great, tough and arduous. I long to have the green belt around my waist once again (Hasegawa lost his WBC bantamweight title to Fernando Montiel on 4-30-10), chances like this don’t come around too often. I am happy.”

“I know Burgos is brave and strong like all Mexican fighters but I am also brave and I have a big heart. I will show in on Friday night and I will take the belt back and keep it to myself.”

About his family and his mother

“After my last fight my family was not happy with the result and the sport but I have to show my daughter that I am strong and show my wife my will power. I am not thinking about my mother right now. I am thinking about the fight.”


Here I'd like to apologize to Hozumi and his family that I wrongly wrote in several posts that his father passed away (based on the Burgos press release) when in fact he lost his mother (R.I.P.). I looked up at the time but couldn't find anything in English.

 

No love for Hozumi around here. Oh well, if one ESB-er will cheer for him one it is.

WAR HASEGAWA!