August 31, 2003
NAGOYA, JAPAN-WBC 122-pound champ Oscar Larios (49-3-1, 34 KOs), Mexico, arrived in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday afternoon to defend his belt against local prospect Kozo Ishii (31-3, 21 KOs) at the Rainbow Hall there on September 7. Larios was accompanied by legendary apoderado (business manager) Rafael Mendoza and trainer Edison Reynoso. Larios said, “I am in very good shape. I have been training hard to keep my belt against Ishii. I know he is a very tough and strong challenger, but will bring back my belt to Mexico.” Larios, who had suffered a broken jaw in his last defense against Shigeru Nakazato in Tokyo last April, said that his chin has no problema after a successful surgery. Larios will start his training there from tomorrow.
(8-31-03)