ayala and Yabuki make weight for IBF title fight
On Saturday fight fans in Japan will see world champions face off, as IBF Flyweight world champion Angel Ayala Lardizabal (18-0, 8) defends his belt against IBF Light Flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki (17-4, 16) [佐藤政道] in Aichi, in what is expected to be the start of Yabuki’s permanent move to 112lbs.
On Friday the men involved in that bout took part in their weigh in, with both men making the 112lb weight limit with no issues at all.
On the scales the champion Yabuki looked the bigger man, visibly looking like a man who was really boiling down, still, to make weight, leaving us wondering how he made 108lbs for so long. As it turned out, he was indeed the heavier man on the scales, coming in bang on the Flyweight limit, whilst the champion was 110.7lbs, well under the maximum allowed.
Talking about making weight for the bout, Yabuki explained "Even at the flyweight class, (cutting weight) is still tough. I'm not doing it at the light flyweight class anymore. I'll win this fight and get into shape for the flyweight class. I'm in better shape than I was at the light flyweight class, but I won't know until tomorrow if I'll be able to move properly." He later went on to say "I will beat the strong Ayala. Becoming a two-division champion will come later. It's going to be an interesting fight from the first round tomorrow. It will be decided by KO, so please look forward to it."
Of course Ayala hasn't travelled to make up the numbers, and explained "I've been preparing myself 100%. As a Mexican and an Aztec warrior, I want to show a fight that will shake my soul.” Before adding, “I don't have a plan for the fight. My nickname is 'Chameleon.' I got it because I can adapt to my opponent. Let's fight fair and square and decide who is stronger."
The main undercard bout for the show will see 23 year old prospect Aoi Yokoyama (2-0, 1) [横山葵海] challenge OPBF Super Flyweight champion Giemel Magramo (30-4, 23), with Yokoyama looking to tie a Japanese male record for fewest fights to win an OPBF title. On the scales Yokoyama was at the 115lb limit, whilst Magramo, a former world title challenger at Flyweight, was marginally lighter at 114.7lbs.
Talking about the contest Yokoyama explained "My opponent is strong, but I want to surpass him with my technique. I have prepared for 12 rounds. I will stick to my own boxing and defeat him in the end to win." Interestingly, Yokoyama said "I'm not thinking about the future. I'm not thinking about records. I'm just going to show my boxing skills," his promoter, Koki Kameda, seemed to have the opposite view in mind, saying "If he wins the world title in his fourth fight, it will be the fastest time in Japan. I would be happy if we could promote such a world fight. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of fight he will have this time."
Of course Magramo is no push over or novice, and he seemed to be burning with confidence, and told the press "I may have more experience than my opponent, but I'm not underestimating him. I'll not let him do anything and I'll put up a good fight. I'll definitely win."
For fans in Japan this show will be on Abema.
On Friday the men involved in that bout took part in their weigh in, with both men making the 112lb weight limit with no issues at all.
On the scales the champion Yabuki looked the bigger man, visibly looking like a man who was really boiling down, still, to make weight, leaving us wondering how he made 108lbs for so long. As it turned out, he was indeed the heavier man on the scales, coming in bang on the Flyweight limit, whilst the champion was 110.7lbs, well under the maximum allowed.
Talking about making weight for the bout, Yabuki explained "Even at the flyweight class, (cutting weight) is still tough. I'm not doing it at the light flyweight class anymore. I'll win this fight and get into shape for the flyweight class. I'm in better shape than I was at the light flyweight class, but I won't know until tomorrow if I'll be able to move properly." He later went on to say "I will beat the strong Ayala. Becoming a two-division champion will come later. It's going to be an interesting fight from the first round tomorrow. It will be decided by KO, so please look forward to it."
Of course Ayala hasn't travelled to make up the numbers, and explained "I've been preparing myself 100%. As a Mexican and an Aztec warrior, I want to show a fight that will shake my soul.” Before adding, “I don't have a plan for the fight. My nickname is 'Chameleon.' I got it because I can adapt to my opponent. Let's fight fair and square and decide who is stronger."
The main undercard bout for the show will see 23 year old prospect Aoi Yokoyama (2-0, 1) [横山葵海] challenge OPBF Super Flyweight champion Giemel Magramo (30-4, 23), with Yokoyama looking to tie a Japanese male record for fewest fights to win an OPBF title. On the scales Yokoyama was at the 115lb limit, whilst Magramo, a former world title challenger at Flyweight, was marginally lighter at 114.7lbs.
Talking about the contest Yokoyama explained "My opponent is strong, but I want to surpass him with my technique. I have prepared for 12 rounds. I will stick to my own boxing and defeat him in the end to win." Interestingly, Yokoyama said "I'm not thinking about the future. I'm not thinking about records. I'm just going to show my boxing skills," his promoter, Koki Kameda, seemed to have the opposite view in mind, saying "If he wins the world title in his fourth fight, it will be the fastest time in Japan. I would be happy if we could promote such a world fight. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of fight he will have this time."
Of course Magramo is no push over or novice, and he seemed to be burning with confidence, and told the press "I may have more experience than my opponent, but I'm not underestimating him. I'll not let him do anything and I'll put up a good fight. I'll definitely win."
For fans in Japan this show will be on Abema.