Fighters make weigth for Muto Gym show in Osaka
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On Sunday the Sumiyoshi Ward Center, in Osaka City, plays host to a really interesting card, with a Japanese title bout, a fight featuring a former 2-time world champion and the debut of a man dubbed the Muto Gym’s “secret weapon”.
The debutant in question is 2023 All Japan National Champion Keidai Nakayama (0-0) [中山慧大] , who takes on Korean visitor Ji Yong Kim (4-2-1, 1). The bout, being fought at a contracted 54KG (119.05lbs), saw both men making the weight with no issues, with Nakayama coming in at 118.5lbs, and Kim coming in 118lbs, bang on the Bantamweight limit. At the weight in Nakayama explained "I was able to spar well and I'm in perfect shape," and added "Because I'm a professional, I want to show that I'm going to take my opponent down. I want to build up from a jab and finish him off in the flow," and it’s clear he wants to make a big splash on his debut.
The main undercard bout, and in many ways the bout that has had much of the international attention, will see former 2-time WBC Super Flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (56-6-1, 47) [ศรีสะเกษ นครหลวงโปรโมชั่น] take on the once beaten Kaito Yamasaki (9-1, 5) [山崎海斗] in a very notable bout for both men.On the scales Yamasaki came in at 121.7lbs and looked in great shape and towered over Srisaket. Yamasaki explained "Because we are in different weight classes, I didn't know much about my opponent. However, I wanted to fight a strong opponent, so when I heard that he was a former world champion, my motivation went up,". As for the Thai legend, he looked fleshy, much smaller and came in at 121.25lbs He spoke about his history in Japan, and stated "The last time I came to Japan I was just an ordinary fighter, but now I come as a former world champion,". He then went on to say "My opponent is a good fighter with good hand speed," before letting his confidence come through, saying "I can handle any situation. I will decide how to fight depending on how my opponent responds”. And adding "I will clear this match and push forward to regain the world throne,"
In the main event we get a Champion Carnival bout as Japanese Middleweight champion Riku Kunimoto (12-1, 6) [国本陸] takes on Kazuki Kyohara (9-2-3, 4) [京原和輝], in a second bout between the two men. Kunimoto made weight, bang on the limit, and went on to admit "The weight cut was tough this time, but it's the minimum rule for competing," As for the challenger he was 159.2lbs, and came across as very confident, knowing this is the biggest fight of his career, and one that if he wins it'll be a career changer.
The debutant in question is 2023 All Japan National Champion Keidai Nakayama (0-0) [中山慧大] , who takes on Korean visitor Ji Yong Kim (4-2-1, 1). The bout, being fought at a contracted 54KG (119.05lbs), saw both men making the weight with no issues, with Nakayama coming in at 118.5lbs, and Kim coming in 118lbs, bang on the Bantamweight limit. At the weight in Nakayama explained "I was able to spar well and I'm in perfect shape," and added "Because I'm a professional, I want to show that I'm going to take my opponent down. I want to build up from a jab and finish him off in the flow," and it’s clear he wants to make a big splash on his debut.
The main undercard bout, and in many ways the bout that has had much of the international attention, will see former 2-time WBC Super Flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (56-6-1, 47) [ศรีสะเกษ นครหลวงโปรโมชั่น] take on the once beaten Kaito Yamasaki (9-1, 5) [山崎海斗] in a very notable bout for both men.On the scales Yamasaki came in at 121.7lbs and looked in great shape and towered over Srisaket. Yamasaki explained "Because we are in different weight classes, I didn't know much about my opponent. However, I wanted to fight a strong opponent, so when I heard that he was a former world champion, my motivation went up,". As for the Thai legend, he looked fleshy, much smaller and came in at 121.25lbs He spoke about his history in Japan, and stated "The last time I came to Japan I was just an ordinary fighter, but now I come as a former world champion,". He then went on to say "My opponent is a good fighter with good hand speed," before letting his confidence come through, saying "I can handle any situation. I will decide how to fight depending on how my opponent responds”. And adding "I will clear this match and push forward to regain the world throne,"
In the main event we get a Champion Carnival bout as Japanese Middleweight champion Riku Kunimoto (12-1, 6) [国本陸] takes on Kazuki Kyohara (9-2-3, 4) [京原和輝], in a second bout between the two men. Kunimoto made weight, bang on the limit, and went on to admit "The weight cut was tough this time, but it's the minimum rule for competing," As for the challenger he was 159.2lbs, and came across as very confident, knowing this is the biggest fight of his career, and one that if he wins it'll be a career changer.