April 23, 2008
TOKYO, JAPAN
Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions, an influential impresario in Japan, announced that WBA#8 Takehiro Shimada (22-3-1, 15 KOs) would substitute for WBA top contender Israel Perez, Argentina, who was slated to have a shot at the WBA 130-pound belt against unbeaten KO artist Edwin Valero (23-0, 23 KOs), a Japan-based Venezuelan, in Tokyo on June 12. Perez unfortunately became unavailable because of his knee injury. The 36-year-old Japanese veteran Shimada revealed why he was selected as a substitute by Teiken at a press conference on Tuesday. He personally wrote a hand-written letter to Honda repeatedly to ask for his crack at the sensational Valero. His letter was described as follows:
Dear Mr. Honda,
Please let me challenge your strong champion Edwin Valero. I am confident to show a good performance against him. I am sure to have the popularity of boxing surge with this fight.
Very best wishes,
Takehiro Shimada
It was not only his career, eleven impressive wins straight since 2003, but also his literary ability that has materialized his world title shot.
(4-23-08)