Japanese Scene: Tomonobu Shimizu vs. Hugo Cazares on August 31

Sidney Boquiren has the latest boxing news from Japan.  For more Japanese boxing updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter

Two-time world title challenger Tomonobu Shimizu (18-3-1, 9KO) hopes the third time’s the charm as he is set to face Hugo Cazares (35-6-2, 25KO) for the super flyweight’s WBA trinket. The fight will be the co-main event for Kameda-De la Mora at Tokyo’s Nihon Budokan on the 31st.

Shimizu has fought the majority of his career at flyweight where he has been the domestic king for multiple reigns. The 30-year old veteran got his first shot at a world title back in 2007 against Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, retiring on his stool after seven frames. In 2008, Shimizu was up on the cards against Daisuke Naito, but was rocked hard early in the 10th by a left hook and counted out after falling to the mat for the second time.

A fleet-footed technician, Shimizu has tried to retool since the loss to Naito, throwing with power more often than in the past. While that has paid off in a pretty streak of four consecutive stoppage wins, Shimizu may want to go back to his old style as he will be outgunned against the Mexican warrior. His best shot may be to use his feet and jab to keep Cazares off of him.

Should Shimizu pull off the upset, he has already publicly mentioned that he would love to set up a showdown with Kameda’s little brother Daiki for a fight at the Kameda’s year-end card.