Nontshinga and Yabuki make weight for IBF title fight
This coming weekend, a 3-day weekend in Japan due to a national Holiday on Monday, is set to be massive for Japanese boxing with 8 world title fights over 3 days. The first of them, and the only one not on a stacked Amazon Prime show, will be on Saturday in Aichi, where IBF Light Flyweight champion Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-1, 10) defends against mandatory challenger Masamichi Yabuki (16-4, 15) [佐藤政道], in what could turn out to be the fight of the weekend, and looks to be a bout many are currently sleeping on.
Today the two men took part in their weigh for the contest and both made the 108lb weight limit with no issues, in fact both were comfortably under the limit coming in at 107.4lb, before engaging in a lengthy, 26 second, stare down.
Despite making weight with ease Yabuki explained ot the media "Weight loss is tough every time, but it's a given when you're competing," and then spoke about the match up with Nontshinga explaining "We're both similar types of fighters, so I think it's inevitable that it will end in a KO. I'll stay in the ring until the end with an indomitable fighting spirit." Eloquently explaining why so many hardcore fans think this could deliver something special. Both men are skilled boxer-punchers, with really explosive power and styles that make for fun fights.
As for the challenger he expressed no issues with fighting in Japan, stating "I'm used to fighting on enemy grounds. I'm in perfect condition. I understand that the challenger wants to KO. I'll just do what I have to do. I'm more focused on winning than KO."
Promoter, Koki Kameda, seemed to be just as focused on KO’s as the challenger, saying "Tomorrow's match is sure to end in a KO. I think it will be an exciting match even for those who are watching boxing for the first time. I hope you will support us."
Despite both being heavy handed, both will be fighting in Winning gloves, with the champion picking red and the challenger in black. It was also agreed, during the rule meeting, that the men would take part in the IBF same day weigh in, at different venues. The champion will be at a hotel near the fight venue, whilst Yabuki will be at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Court Nagoya, which is the first time in Japan that two venues have been used for IBF same day weigh-ins. This has occurred after Nontshinga and his team expressed that the weigh in venue was too far from the fight venue
Today the two men took part in their weigh for the contest and both made the 108lb weight limit with no issues, in fact both were comfortably under the limit coming in at 107.4lb, before engaging in a lengthy, 26 second, stare down.
Despite making weight with ease Yabuki explained ot the media "Weight loss is tough every time, but it's a given when you're competing," and then spoke about the match up with Nontshinga explaining "We're both similar types of fighters, so I think it's inevitable that it will end in a KO. I'll stay in the ring until the end with an indomitable fighting spirit." Eloquently explaining why so many hardcore fans think this could deliver something special. Both men are skilled boxer-punchers, with really explosive power and styles that make for fun fights.
As for the challenger he expressed no issues with fighting in Japan, stating "I'm used to fighting on enemy grounds. I'm in perfect condition. I understand that the challenger wants to KO. I'll just do what I have to do. I'm more focused on winning than KO."
Promoter, Koki Kameda, seemed to be just as focused on KO’s as the challenger, saying "Tomorrow's match is sure to end in a KO. I think it will be an exciting match even for those who are watching boxing for the first time. I hope you will support us."
Despite both being heavy handed, both will be fighting in Winning gloves, with the champion picking red and the challenger in black. It was also agreed, during the rule meeting, that the men would take part in the IBF same day weigh in, at different venues. The champion will be at a hotel near the fight venue, whilst Yabuki will be at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Court Nagoya, which is the first time in Japan that two venues have been used for IBF same day weigh-ins. This has occurred after Nontshinga and his team expressed that the weigh in venue was too far from the fight venue