Rumour coming out of Japan is that Kosei Tanaka (4-0, 2) will be fighting Julian Yedras (23-1, 13) in May for the WBO Minimumweight world title which is set to be vacated by Katsunari Takayama. Tanaka will be hoping to set a new record for the quickest Japanese fighter to win a world title! http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/kosei-tanaka-vs-julian-yedras-for-the-wbo-minimumweight-title
That was the long held story, seems like Wanheng is deciding to stay at home. From what I understand Raul Garcia will fight Denver Cuello in a WBC final eliminator so could be that Wanheng will look to have just 1 hard fight this year instead of 2
Cool for Tanaka, but I kind of feel like Yedras in truth might actually be a step down in competition for him after Hara. True, his only defeat came to Buitrago via UD, but his W column is extremely padded. Hara's resume is significantly better.
The best bets for doing it in 4 fights now are Hinata Maruta, who is hoping to fight a world ranked foe on his debut , and Keisuke Matsumoto, who had spent time with Yaegashi and Naoya, incidentally Matsumoto's father is Yaegashi's trainer. At the moment I can't think of anyone else though there are some VERY SOLID amateurs coming out of their amateur league system.
Sadly the JBC rules wouldn't allow it For the JBC to allow a fighter to fight for a world title IN JAPAN the fighter must first have claimed the OPBF or Japanese title. In theory with the current rules the lowest a Japanese fighter could get is 3 bouts (a 6 or 8 round debut under a B grade license, a JBC or OPBF title fight, then a world title bout). I suspect the rule will change or we'll see a Japanese wunderkind go and start their career where that rule doesn't apply (Philippines or Thailand would be the most likely option). At the moment Maruta seems like the only guy who would have the ability to do that and if what I've been told is true about Maruta he really could do it. Sounds like the kid isn't dubbed "The #1 Hope" for nothing.
