Takashi "The Tortoise" Uchiyama

For those who haven't seen him, here's a chance to get a look at the heavy-hitting prospect-cum-champion from Japan.

Of his 15 wins in 15 professional fights (after a long and reportedly very successful amateur career), we begin with his most important - the WBA super featherweight world title win over Juan Carlos Salgado (conqueror of Jorge Linares):
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His 1st defense against Angel Granados transpired just earlier today:
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Looking back, a couple of domestic-level fights from 2008:

vs. Akira Yamazaki
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vs. Bando Hero
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You can see marked improvement in just a couple of years - particularly in the areas of balance, patience, and use of the jab (although it does still "float" a bit at times). He still has the invisible rod through his neck - he'll stare at a punch coming right at his head and if he hasn't been able to move his feet in time, the attitude seems to be "Oh well, just have to absorb this one I guess...". He'll also rarely ever have a handspeed edge over most world level contenders. What he does have, in addition to the physical gifts of a sturdy chin and a hell of a right hand, is a mostly very careful and efficient style that lets him hit far more than he gets hit...and when he does hit, it hurts quite a bit.

Hopefully Uchiyama can live up to the excitement he's generating and participate in some great matchups. Terdsak Kokietgym (formerly Terdsak Jandaeng), Takahiro Aoh, Joksan Hernandez and Jason Litzau are some of the second tier dance partners who could all make for terrific viewing; and of course Linares himself, or the unification possibilities with someone like Solis (the interim WBA titlist) or Martinez (the WBO champ) are something worth salivating over.

 

Well this turned into quite the Hasegawa thread. :blood

 

Linares is still on the ten-rounder leg of his comeback trail, and only eked out a majority decision over the now-pedestrian Francisco Lorenzo (not looking too hot in the process, from most accounts). He should definitely put Salgado in his crosshairs for some revenge, as that upset was probably just a result of him being caught cold - but he may not be just ready to jump in with someone like Uchiyama, who presents a totally different style. Uchiyama won't bum-rush him; he'll keep persisting with a slow and steady parade of right hands...and if Salgado can hurt Linares (albeit with the element of surprise) then Uchiyama certainly can if one of those rights manages to score on the bullseye.

He's also been widening his arsenal...

“I practiced that hook during my training, hitting the body and unleashing straights, and then hitting a right hook suddenly. I made it in the sixth round very well,” said Uchiyama, 30. “I also hit a lot more jabs than I had expected, so I expected it would damage Granados in the end.”

 

Definitely, feel free. :good

 

...est Latinum. :bart

I forget not everyone is classically educated.