Fighters make weight for Korakuen Hall show
Tomorrow the legendary Korakuen Hall plays host to “Lemino BOXING Phoenix Battle 123”. The card is an interesting one, featuring a tune up bout for someone expected to fight for a world title next year, a Japanese title fight, a Japanese eliminator and several prospects.
Today, ahead of the show, the fighters took part in their weigh in.
The main event will see world ranked Super Featherweight contender Masanori Rikiishi (15-1, 10) [佐藤政法] take on Filipino fighter Arnel Baconaje (17-8, 12), in what is expected to be a tune up for Rikiishi. The bout, being fought at a contracted 61KG (134.48lbs), will be Rikiishi’s first as an Ohashi Gym fighter.
On the scales Rikiishi was bang on 134lbs, well over the Super Featherweight limit, but comfortably under the contractual limit. Baconaje was lighter, at 133.4lbs, for what will be his third bout in Japan. Notably Rikiishi spoke about his brother, Masamichi Yabuki, and his big win at the weekend stating "Masamich erased Nonsinga's strengths. He dominated everything with his left hand. I was inspired by him, and it made me feel even more determined not to lose."
In the chief support bout we’ll see Japanese Featherweight champion Keisuke Matsumoto (11-0, 7) [松本 圭佑] make his 4th defense as he faces Kimihiro Nakagawa (10-6-2, 5) [中川公弘]. On the scales both men were bang on the limit.
Interestingly the champion, who promised to show us something different this time and suggested he was going to hunt a KO, spoke about people worrying about him making weight, "I've been dehydrated, so I'll slowly recover from now on." adding "People around me are worried about me (about the weight loss), but it's not that close," Given his recent performances, we do wonder whether a move to 130lbs will suit him, as it’s clear he’s not making 126lbs without taking something from himself. As for Nakagawa, this is the biggest bout of his career, and his first title fight, and he told reporters "I'm excited. I want to fight soon. I've been boxing for 12 years. This match is the culmination of everything."
Arguably the most interesting bout on the card is Japanese Super Bantamweight eliminator between Toshiya Ishii (7-1-2, 5) [石井渡士也] and Jun Ikegawa (7-0-2, 2) [池側純], which is particularly interesting as the two fought to a draw in 2022 and will know that a win here secures them a title fight during next year’s Champion Carnival. On the scales Ishii was 121.5lbs, whilst Ikegawa was slightly heavier, at 121.7lbs. Both men spoke about their draw 2 years ago, with both saying they were looking to settle things and were confident of picking up the win here.
Other notable fighters set for this show including thrilling Welterweight Sora Tanaka (1-0, 1) [田中空], who takes a huge step up to face Thailand's Chan Sala (11-3, 7), and the extremely highly regarded Yuta Sakai (1-0, 1) [坂井優太], who takes on Sujaritchon Surampai (3-0, 3). Notably Surampai missed weight, for a contracted 8 rounder at 54KG’s (119bs), but the bout will go ahead as long as he is under 58.3KG's (128.5lbs) at a weigh in tomorrow.
Today, ahead of the show, the fighters took part in their weigh in.
The main event will see world ranked Super Featherweight contender Masanori Rikiishi (15-1, 10) [佐藤政法] take on Filipino fighter Arnel Baconaje (17-8, 12), in what is expected to be a tune up for Rikiishi. The bout, being fought at a contracted 61KG (134.48lbs), will be Rikiishi’s first as an Ohashi Gym fighter.
On the scales Rikiishi was bang on 134lbs, well over the Super Featherweight limit, but comfortably under the contractual limit. Baconaje was lighter, at 133.4lbs, for what will be his third bout in Japan. Notably Rikiishi spoke about his brother, Masamichi Yabuki, and his big win at the weekend stating "Masamich erased Nonsinga's strengths. He dominated everything with his left hand. I was inspired by him, and it made me feel even more determined not to lose."
In the chief support bout we’ll see Japanese Featherweight champion Keisuke Matsumoto (11-0, 7) [松本 圭佑] make his 4th defense as he faces Kimihiro Nakagawa (10-6-2, 5) [中川公弘]. On the scales both men were bang on the limit.
Interestingly the champion, who promised to show us something different this time and suggested he was going to hunt a KO, spoke about people worrying about him making weight, "I've been dehydrated, so I'll slowly recover from now on." adding "People around me are worried about me (about the weight loss), but it's not that close," Given his recent performances, we do wonder whether a move to 130lbs will suit him, as it’s clear he’s not making 126lbs without taking something from himself. As for Nakagawa, this is the biggest bout of his career, and his first title fight, and he told reporters "I'm excited. I want to fight soon. I've been boxing for 12 years. This match is the culmination of everything."
Arguably the most interesting bout on the card is Japanese Super Bantamweight eliminator between Toshiya Ishii (7-1-2, 5) [石井渡士也] and Jun Ikegawa (7-0-2, 2) [池側純], which is particularly interesting as the two fought to a draw in 2022 and will know that a win here secures them a title fight during next year’s Champion Carnival. On the scales Ishii was 121.5lbs, whilst Ikegawa was slightly heavier, at 121.7lbs. Both men spoke about their draw 2 years ago, with both saying they were looking to settle things and were confident of picking up the win here.
Other notable fighters set for this show including thrilling Welterweight Sora Tanaka (1-0, 1) [田中空], who takes a huge step up to face Thailand's Chan Sala (11-3, 7), and the extremely highly regarded Yuta Sakai (1-0, 1) [坂井優太], who takes on Sujaritchon Surampai (3-0, 3). Notably Surampai missed weight, for a contracted 8 rounder at 54KG’s (119bs), but the bout will go ahead as long as he is under 58.3KG's (128.5lbs) at a weigh in tomorrow.