Five-division champion Naoko Fujioka makes next defense July 12th

With the current Katie Taylor- and Claressa Shields-led resurgence in women’s boxing, now seems a good time to bring attention to five-weight champion Naoko Fujioka, who today announced a July 12th flyweight title defense against reigning WBO light flyweight queen Tenkai Tsunami.

Fujioka (18-2, 7 KO) made her professional debut at the age of 34, claiming the WBC minimumweight belt in her sixth pro fight. She went on to win the WBA super flyweight belt, the WBO bantamweight belt, the WBA flyweight belt, and the WBO light flyweight belt, defending all but the last at least once. The flyweight title came in her third bid, as she’d fallen short against German standout Susi Kentikian and longtime champion Jessica Chavez.

Tsunami (26-12, 15 KO) has never been stopped as a professional and has enjoyed title reigns at super flyweight and light flyweight.

Fujioka has had a remarkably successful career and shows no sign of slowing down at 43 years old. I think that deserves some kudos, don’t you?