Japanese Scene: Shimoda and Sasaki Heading Abroad, Ishida Looking at Big Fight
by The Boxing Bulletin on May 17, 2011 8:01 AM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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Sidney Boquiren has the latest boxing news and notes from Japan. For more Japanese boxing updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter
Shimoda & Sasaki lead Teiken’s foreign invasion
As reported weeks ago, Teiken was working on plans to send several of their clients to fight abroad and it seems that the promotional powerhouse has finalized some of the bouts. Not only have they managed to set up aging warrior Motoki Sasaki with a date with Humberto Soto for the Mexican’s lightweight strap, but it also appears that they will have Akifumi Shimoda fighting in Atlantic City on HBO, July 9.
Shimoda (23-2-1, 10KO) vaulted into the #2 spot in Ring Magazine’s 122-pound rankings after knocking down Ryol Li Lee three times en route to a unanimous decision victory this past January. The 26-year old has had an up-and-down career and looked like he may have reached his limit before the breakthrough against Lee. The solid performance exceeded the expectations of many, and it will be interesting to see how he matches up with undefeated prospect Rico Ramos (19-0, 10KO).
The Teiken product will be breaking new ground once the fight is underway. Not only would he be the first Japanese pugilist to be featured on HBO, but Shimoda will be the first to defend a world title on the US mainland according to Sports Hochi. In addition, should he retain his crown, he would also be the first to successfully make the initial defense of his crown outside of Japanese borders. Though he does not have much experience fighting outside of his home country, Shimoda has fought once in Mexico and has spent time training in California.
Ishida contemplating both Martinez and Williams
As Scott posted earlier, discussions for a fight between Paul Williams and Nobuhiro Ishida are underway. Osaka Hochi confirmed that Ishida’s camp has received an offer for a September bout in Las Vegas, but a contract has not yet been signed. It appears there is still the possibility that the 35-year old challenges Sergio Martinez in July or August for the Argentinean’s middleweight crown.
Certainly Ishida deserves credit for his performance against James Kirkland, and it is great that he has lined himself up for one big payday after toiling for years in anonymity even when he held a belt. But it is hard to believe that Ishida would be competitive against either Martinez or Williams. He has a better chance at another upset with the later option, but unless the Punisher is a spent force after his two round debacle with Martinez, Williams overpowers Ishida with his physical superiority and activity. The fighter himself would prefer to take on the 160lb champ and claims that he is confident he would be able to beat either.
Frankly, outside of his surprising three-knockdown assault on Kirkland, Ishida is typically a technical boxer whose style is not so pleasing to watch. I’ll agree with Scott on his assessment should HBO actually approve this one – they’d be buying Paul Williams and not Williams vs. Ishida.
More Japanese boxing news after the jump.
- Masayuki Kuroda stopped heavy-handed veteran Katsuhiko Iezumi on Monday to claim the vacant national light flyweight strap. The new champ dominated throughout the fight, scoring with hard left hooks and lefts to the body from the opening innings. The 24-year old forced the referee to intercede at 1:13 of the 8th round by rocking Iezumi with a straight right. Kuroda improved to 19-3 (13KO), while Iezumi, who had owned the regional version of the 108lb title last year, falls to 29-9-3 (19KO).
- Nobuo Nashiro’s gymmate, Hirofumi Mukai hopes to add another respected name to his list of conquered opponents as he has scored a shot at OPBF 112lb beltholder Rocky Fuentes. In his last performance, the 25-year old prospect (5-0, 0KO) earned a wide decision victory over fringe contender Sonny Boy Jaro. Fuentes, Ring Magazine’s #8 flyweight, has looked particularly good since edging Masafumi Okubo for the title last March, and it will be a very tough match-up for someone with only five pro appearances.
For more coverage of Japanese boxing, follow Sidney on Twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter
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Fighting abroad
It’s hard to believe Shimoda would be the first Japanese fighter to defend a world title outside Japan. Let’s hope others will follow his example and test the international waters. It can only improve the quality of Japanese boxing overall.
It seems like a smart move on Golden Boy’s part to work with Teiken and tap into a talent pool largely unknown to even hardcore fight fans. Is there any talk of other promotional outfits venturing out across the Pacific?
He's not
Maybe for that title. But Toshiaki Nishioka defended his title against Jhonny Gonzalez in Mexico a couple years back, at the very least. I’m fairly certain there have been others, especially in Thailand.
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Sorry for that. I misread the Japanese. Here’s how the edit should read:
The Teiken product will be breaking new ground once the fight is underway. Not only would he be the first Japanese pugilist to be featured on HBO, but Shimoda will be the first to defend a world title on the US mainland according to Sports Hochi. In addition, should he retain his crown, he would also be the first to successfully make the initial defense of his crown outside of Japanese borders. Though he does not have much experience fighting outside of his home country, Shimoda has fought once in Mexico and has spent time training in California.
by RingwalkNIPPON on May 18, 2011 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
See edit below...
There are a few Japanese fighters who will test themselves abroad in the near future. I am planning a post that will include news of a few of them, but have been a bit busy.
As you may know, since the promotional/managerial arrangement is somewhat different in Japan compare to other countries, you probably will not see an outfits as a whole trying to send their clients abroad. Teiken is probably the only one that has both the promotional clout and list of clientele to do so, and it’s great that they are finally making a move.
by RingwalkNIPPON on May 18, 2011 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Good for Ishida
He stopped Kirkland when brought in to be the fall guy, why shouldn’t he make some coin against a suddenly suspect P will? Not his fault hes getting offered the fight. At the end of the day, its HBOs bad decision. As long as theres a good supporting card its all good.
I think it’s great that Ishida has the opportunity to score a good payday – he’s a guy who’s worked hard and finally has the chance to cash in. I’m not critical of that. His performance probably has shed some positive light on Japanese boxing as well, so if anything, he’s to be commended. That said, should HBO approve either matchup it would be, as you said, a bad decision.
by RingwalkNIPPON on May 18, 2011 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
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