Nonaka and Soliman make weight for OPBF title fight
Tomorrow at the Sangyo Shinko Center we’ll see veterans clash as 46 year old Japanese fighter Yuki Nonaka (37-12-3, 11) [野中悠樹] takes on 50 year old former world champion Sam Soliman (49-18-1, 19) in a bout for the vacant OPBF Super Middleweight title.
Today, ahead of that clash, the men took part in their weigh in and both men made weight without any issue.
Nonaka, who’s fighting for the 53rd time as a professional, came in at 167.25lbs and looked the much bigger man, almost standing half a head taller than Soliman. He spoke about the need to recover properly from the weigh in and living up to the expectations of his gym Chairman. Talking about Soliman, he described the Australian visitor as calm and dignified, and as someone who respects. A win for Nonaka, at 46 years and 4 months, would make him the oldest Japanese fighter to win a recognised title.
As for Soliman he was even lighter, coming in around 166.5lbs for the bout. Notably he stepped into the bout at late notice, when Rohan Murdock (27-3, 19) pulled out with a wrist injury he suffered in training, though still seemed in great shape. Interestingly this will be his first bout in Japan for more than 20 years, with his last being being a win over Satoru Suzuki in November 2003 to retain the OPBF Middleweight title, which he had won in Japan that September when he beat Tokutaro Toyozumi.
Today, ahead of that clash, the men took part in their weigh in and both men made weight without any issue.
Nonaka, who’s fighting for the 53rd time as a professional, came in at 167.25lbs and looked the much bigger man, almost standing half a head taller than Soliman. He spoke about the need to recover properly from the weigh in and living up to the expectations of his gym Chairman. Talking about Soliman, he described the Australian visitor as calm and dignified, and as someone who respects. A win for Nonaka, at 46 years and 4 months, would make him the oldest Japanese fighter to win a recognised title.
As for Soliman he was even lighter, coming in around 166.5lbs for the bout. Notably he stepped into the bout at late notice, when Rohan Murdock (27-3, 19) pulled out with a wrist injury he suffered in training, though still seemed in great shape. Interestingly this will be his first bout in Japan for more than 20 years, with his last being being a win over Satoru Suzuki in November 2003 to retain the OPBF Middleweight title, which he had won in Japan that September when he beat Tokutaro Toyozumi.