March 25, 2005
TOKYO, JAPAN-Newly crowned WBA bantamweight champ Wladimir Sidorenko (17-0, 6 KOs), a German-based Ukrainian, will put his belt against Japanese veteran Manabu Fukushima (27-6-2, 18 KOs) at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on June 4. It was announced by the challenger’s manager Naoto Takahashi, ex-Japanese bantam champ, on Friday. Sidorenko, former Olympic bronze medalist in Sydney, recently acquired the WBA throne by scoring a unanimous verdict over interim champ Julio Zarate, Mexico, in Germany last February. The Ukrainian is a short and sturdy boxer with his very tight guard and good counterpunching. Fukushima, two years his senior at 30, once failed to win the WBC 122-pound belt via eighth round stoppage by Oscar Larios here in 2002 and decided to move down to the 118-pound category. Fukushima, ex-OPBF and Japanese ruler, is a tricky boxer-puncher who defeated ex-WBA 115-pound champ Yokthai Sith-Oar on points in a rematch last year following their drawn game. Fukushima is always fluctuating, sometimes good and sometimes poor, but if he is physically and mentally in good shape, he may show a good performance against Sidrenko, making his first defense, whose speed and skills are highly evaluated by our experts. This show will be promoted by Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Promotions in association with Takahashi’s JB Sports Promotions.
(3-25-05)