Kono-Kameda, Takayama-Hara, Fujioka-Yuh World title bouts announced

by
Kono-Kameda, Takayama-Hara, Fujioka-Yuh World title bouts announced
Kameda appears at Kono's press conference 20-Aug. Photos by Boxing Beat, Joe Koizumi

Kono-Kameda, Takayama-Hara, Fujioka-Yuh World title bouts announced

by
Kono-Kameda, Takayama-Hara, Fujioka-Yuh World title bouts announced
Kameda appears at Kono's press conference 20-Aug. Photos by Boxing Beat, Joe Koizumi

Kameda appears at Kono's press conference 20-Aug
Kameda appears at Kono’s press conference 20-Aug. Photos by Boxing Beat, Joe Koizumi

KONO-KAMEDA, WBA 115LB TITLE BOUT

Kohei Kono and his manager Watanabe
Kohei Kono and his manager Watanabe
WBA super-flyweight champ Kohei Kono (30-8-1, 13 KOs) will defend his belt against compatriot and formerly three-class titlist Koki Kameda (33-1, 18 KOs) in Chicago on October 16. It was announced by Watanabe Promotions that handles the defending champ Kono, who recently sustained a rib injury to have the mandatory title bout postponed for months. But Kono has completely recovered and is strenuously training to defend his championship against the drudge rival. Since Kameda Gym’s activity in Japan has been restrained by the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) due to its antagonism against the JBC, the Japanese boys will have to exchange gloves abroad with Kameda under the wing of Al Haymon. The anticipated Kono-Kameda contest will be staged by Warriors Promotions. While Kono was making a press conference with his impresario Watanabe last Monday, Kameda abruptly appeared to urge the champ’s fighting spirit verbally and quickly left the gym with the stunned press people left. It will be a sensational confrontation for Japanese fight fans.

TAKAYAMA-HARA, IBF 105LB TITLE BOUT

Ryuji Hara
Ryuji Hara
Veteran Japanese campaigner, fast-punching Katsunari Takayama (29-7, 11 KOs) will put his IBF minimumweight belt on the line against compatriot and ex-national ruler Ryuji Hara (19-1, 11 KOs) in Osaka, Japan, on September 27. It will be the first title contest in the world title doubleheader—beneath the WBA flyweight title contest of defending champ Kazuto Ioka against Roberto Domingo Sosa of Argentina. Hara, seven years his junior at 25, once acquired four national high school championships, but refused to turn professional and entered a school to cultivate jockeys. Hara, however, returned to boxing and entered Ohashi Gym to seize the Japanese and OPBF minimum belts. It was up-and-coming Kosei Tanaka that dethroned the OPBF titlist Hara via tenth round stoppage in October of the previous year. But the crestfallen Hara made a fine comeback by dispatching Petchnamchai Sor. Sakulwong in only two sessions, and now was rendered an opportunity to square off against Takayama in quest of the IBF lightest belt. It will be an interesting encounter of the small speedsters.

FUJIOKA-YUH, WBO FEMALE 118LB TITLE BOUT FOR VACANT CHAMPIONSHIP

Naoko Fujioka
Naoko Fujioka
Having defeated Mariana “Barbie” Juarez by a split decision in Mexico, Japan’s Naoko Fujioka (13-1, 6 KOs) will face Korean Hee-Jung Yuh (15-2, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBO female bantamweight championship in Tokyo, Japan, on October 19. Fujioka, five years her senior at 40, is still fresh and strong, and still holds the WBA 115-pound belt to her credit. After winning the vacant WBO throne, Fujioka will decide which belt to renounce. Fujioka said, “I’ll fight in the 108-118 pound categories, and wish to acquire four or five belts in the future.” Naoko is going to be a female Hopkins.


Happy Birthday Andre Berto

Happy Birthday Andre Berto



Maracay celebrates Gilberto Mendoza Boxing Festival

Maracay celebrates Gilberto Mendoza Boxing Festival

With the participation of boxers from Apure, Miranda and Aragua,...

Four years after the departure of “Pepe” Graglia

Four years after the departure of “Pepe” Graglia

Today marks four years since the sad departure of José...

Walters won WBA Continental Americas belt in his return to the U.S.

Walters won WBA Continental Americas belt in his return to the U.S.

Jamaican boxer Nicholas Walters defeated Joseph Adorno on a split...