August 11, 2013
TOKYO, JAPAN
Unbeaten Japanese southpaw, Shinsuke Yamanaka (18-0-2, 13 KOs) will put his WBC bantamweight belt on the line against #8 ranked Puerto Rican Jose Nieves (22-2-3, 11 KOs) tomorrow (Monday) in Tokyo, Japan. Also, the newly crowned WBC flyweight ruler Akira Yaegashi (17-3, 9 KOs), Japan, will highly risk his throne against #10 ranked but hard-hitting Mexican Oscar Blanquet (32-5-1, 23 KOs) in the first world title go.
The press conference was held before great many press people on Saturday.
The WBC officials are as follows:
(1) Yamanaka-Nieves title bout
referee Bruce McTavish (Philippines); judges Alejandro Rochin (US), Don Griffin (US), Noppharat Sricharoen (Thailand); supervisor Mauricio Sulaiman (Mexico)
(2) Yaegashi-Blanquet title bout
referee Len Koivisto (Canada); judges Don Griffin (US), Jun-Bae Lim (Korea), Noppharat Sricharoen (Thailand); supervisor Major Lee (Korea)
Yamanaka, a prohibitive favorite making his fourth defense, is favored to retain his belt against the Puerto Rican lefty Nieves by a spectacular knockout, as he predicted. After he acquired the belt, the Japanese southpaw impressively defeated such ex-world titlists as Vic Darchinyan, Tomas Rojas and Malcolm Tunacao to his credit.
Yaegashi had captured the WBC belt by an upset decision over compatriot Toshiyuki Igarashi this April to seize his second world throne following the WBA 105-pound diadem. Blanquet once came here to display his vaunted power punching in dispatching Japan-based Filipino Wars Katsumata (AKA Warlito Parrenas) just 33 seconds into the opening session in June of the previous year. A single left hook was a haymaker. Yaegashi, wary of his superior power, may utilize his advantageous speed on hand and foot in order to frustrate the Mexican willing mixer.
The very confident Blanquest said, “You’ll be the champ only until Monday. Enjoy your limited time as the champ.” The modest Yaegashi replied, “I’ll enjoy my last two days as the titlist with pleasure.” Time will tell.
This sensational twinbill will be presented by Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Promotions.
(8-11-2013)