Fighters make weight for title doubler header in Tokyo
Tomorrow at Korakuen Hall fans will be treated to a title double header, with a Japanese and a Japanese Youth title both on the line, on a show which will be broadcast on FOD (Fuji on Demand).
Today, prior to those bouts, the men took part in their weigh-ins.
The Japanese Youth title bout, will be for the vacant Welterweight title, and will see Taishin Isotani (7-3, 5) [磯谷大心] clash with Taiga Kato (6-2, 2) [加藤大河]. Isotani, the grandson of the legendary Koichi Wajima, will be looking to build on his current 3 fight winning run, which came after 4 straight losses, whilst Kato will be looking for a third straight win since losing in the 2023 East Japan Rookie of the Year final, against Daichi Suga.
On the scales Isotani was bang on the limit, and told reporters "I've always wanted to win the youth title if I had the chance.I want to win it because it's something that will leave a lasting impression." He then shared his view on the bout, explaining "My opponent's style is mainly one-two punches.I want to keep a cool head and fight without aiming too much for a KO.If I do that, I will get results." He added "As long as I can clear this, I want to move up in the rankings next year and challenge for the Japanese title the year after,"
As for Kato he was comfortably under the limit, coming in around 146.4lbs, "I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's match. Isotani is a good opponent with a good reputation. I'm going to take it all on myself." He also explained that he wanted to make a mark, adding "If I win, I'll be the gym's first champion. I'll show the difference in our levels."
The other title bout, and the show’s main event, will see Japanese Light Flyweight champion Toshiki Kawamitsu (10-1, 6) [川満俊輝] make his second defense, as he takes on Natsu Ohashi (8-3-1, 6) [大橋波月]. On the scales both men were comfortably under the limit, coming in around 107.6lbs.
Kawamitsu explained "My opponent is a rough type and can hit hard,"and added he was going to "fight with more concentration and show the confidence I have learned from training." He also spoke about two amateur rivals Seiya Tsutsumi (12-0-2, 8) [堤聖也] and Shokichi Iwata (14-1, 11) [岩田翔吉, who both hold world titles, explaining "It's frustrating to see them become world champions, but at the same time I'm happy, so I have mixed emotions”. He then added "I want to go on to the world stage too. I'm grateful to those who make me feel that way."
As for Ohashi, "All I have to do now is give it my all. I can't wait for tomorrow's match. When I saw the belt, I thought, 'I want to get it in my hands as soon as possible,'" He then added "I must always remember that I am the challenger. I won't win if I just wait around. I will have the determination to move forward, win, and become the champion. I don't intend to go until the 10th round."
Given the styles of the two men this could well be an early Christmas gift for fight fans, and a genuine war, for as long as it lasts.
Today, prior to those bouts, the men took part in their weigh-ins.
The Japanese Youth title bout, will be for the vacant Welterweight title, and will see Taishin Isotani (7-3, 5) [磯谷大心] clash with Taiga Kato (6-2, 2) [加藤大河]. Isotani, the grandson of the legendary Koichi Wajima, will be looking to build on his current 3 fight winning run, which came after 4 straight losses, whilst Kato will be looking for a third straight win since losing in the 2023 East Japan Rookie of the Year final, against Daichi Suga.
On the scales Isotani was bang on the limit, and told reporters "I've always wanted to win the youth title if I had the chance.I want to win it because it's something that will leave a lasting impression." He then shared his view on the bout, explaining "My opponent's style is mainly one-two punches.I want to keep a cool head and fight without aiming too much for a KO.If I do that, I will get results." He added "As long as I can clear this, I want to move up in the rankings next year and challenge for the Japanese title the year after,"
As for Kato he was comfortably under the limit, coming in around 146.4lbs, "I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's match. Isotani is a good opponent with a good reputation. I'm going to take it all on myself." He also explained that he wanted to make a mark, adding "If I win, I'll be the gym's first champion. I'll show the difference in our levels."
The other title bout, and the show’s main event, will see Japanese Light Flyweight champion Toshiki Kawamitsu (10-1, 6) [川満俊輝] make his second defense, as he takes on Natsu Ohashi (8-3-1, 6) [大橋波月]. On the scales both men were comfortably under the limit, coming in around 107.6lbs.
Kawamitsu explained "My opponent is a rough type and can hit hard,"and added he was going to "fight with more concentration and show the confidence I have learned from training." He also spoke about two amateur rivals Seiya Tsutsumi (12-0-2, 8) [堤聖也] and Shokichi Iwata (14-1, 11) [岩田翔吉, who both hold world titles, explaining "It's frustrating to see them become world champions, but at the same time I'm happy, so I have mixed emotions”. He then added "I want to go on to the world stage too. I'm grateful to those who make me feel that way."
As for Ohashi, "All I have to do now is give it my all. I can't wait for tomorrow's match. When I saw the belt, I thought, 'I want to get it in my hands as soon as possible,'" He then added "I must always remember that I am the challenger. I won't win if I just wait around. I will have the determination to move forward, win, and become the champion. I don't intend to go until the 10th round."
Given the styles of the two men this could well be an early Christmas gift for fight fans, and a genuine war, for as long as it lasts.