Zappa to fight dangerous Japanese puncher

Boxing Prospect · Mar 4, 2014

Earlier today it was announced that Japanese puncher Shuhei Tsuchiya (15-2, 13) would have having his next fight in Australia as he battles Australia's former world title challenger Leonardo Zappavigna (30-2, 20) on April 3rd.

Tscuhiya, once dubbed "The Japanese Valero", began his career with an amazingly impressive 12 fight T/KO streak which saw him winning the Japanese Rookie of the Year in 2010.

Unfortunately for Tsuchiya he hasn't managed to kick on with his career and has gone from 14-0 (12) to 15-2 (12) having suffered back-to-back losses to Shoji Kawase and Masayoshi Nakatani. Thankfully for the Japanese fighter he did win his most recent bout, stopping Kazutaka Takakuwa in 2 rounds.

In Zappavigna we have an exciting, albeit limited fighter. His key trait, like Tscuhiya, is his power and which he he used to stop Korea's Ji-Hoon Kim in just 74 seconds a few years ago. in what is clearly the best win on his record.

As with Tsuchiya we've seen Zappavigna lose to his best opponents. He was dominated in a decision loss to Miguel Vazquez in an IBF Lightweight title fight and he was stopped by Panama's big hitting Ameth Diaz just a fight later. Since then however Zappavigna has run up 5 straight victories, including a controversial one against Rivan Cesaire last time out.

Whilst the promise of a shoot out between Tsuchiya and Zappavigna should be exciting by it's self the fight is actually rather important. Zappavigna goes into the fight with a #7 IBF rating and if Tsuchiya stops him the Japanese fighter would likely earn a world ranking. There is the small matter of the WBO International Light Welterweight and the IBF Pan Pacific Light Welterweight titles which are both up for grabs for the winner.

With a lot to gain for Tsuchiya there is no wonder he took this bout even if he is the under-dog and does have to travel

Click to expand...

http://www.asianboxing.info/5/post/...o-leonardo-zappavigna-fight-in-australia.html

HamburgBuam · Mar 4, 2014

Great fight! It will be all action.

Da Voice · Mar 4, 2014

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WBO title ain't for grabs - Pagara is the champ & IBF Pan Pac TBC

IntentionalButt · Mar 4, 2014

If he gets by Tsuchiya, let's see Zappa finally give Angulo his rematch.

It could even be in NSW (I'm sure Angulo won't be too fussy about negotiating leverage, nor turn down the money or chance at revenge), and they could turn a coin off it with Angulo coming off the Cano upset.

MidniteProwler · Mar 4, 2014

Good to see Zappa fight at 140, 147 was to big for him.

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Zappa to fight dangerous Japanese puncher

Boxing Prospect Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

HamburgBuam Boxing Addict Full Member

Da Voice Boxing Addict Full Member

IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

MidniteProwler Fab 4. Mayor of Aussie Boxing Full Member

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Zappa to fight dangerous Japanese puncher

Boxing Prospect Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

HamburgBuam Boxing Addict Full Member

Da Voice Boxing Addict Full Member

IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

MidniteProwler Fab 4. Mayor of Aussie Boxing Full Member