Fighters make weight for Korakuen Hall title doubler header!
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Tomorrow at Korakuen Hall fight fans will get a very good looking regional title double header, with both bouts promising some thrilling action. Today, ahead of those bouts, the men involved took part in their weigh-in for their bouts.
One of the bouts, arguably the more interesting of the two from a stylistic perspective, will see defensive minded counter-puncher Ryusei Kawaura (12-2, 8) [川浦龍生] defending his WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight title against hard hitting switch hitter Takahiro Tai (8-1, 8) [田井宜広]. For Kawaura, who is seeking his first defense of the title, he has been matched with someone who has a completely different style to his own, and really has danger in both hands, whilst Tai is taking on, arguably, his most talented opponent to date.
On the scales Kawaura was 114.5lbs and looked in great shape. He explained his desire to retained, telling journalists "I can't let the belt I finally got be taken from me so soon. As the champion, I have to defend it well. I have to win no matter what." Whilst talking about Tai, Kawaura admitted "I've never fought a switch-hitter before, so I can't really say, but I want to value my own instincts,"
As for the challenger, he was 114.3lbs, and made the most of a short turn around from his last fight, back in December, explaining "I didn't put too much weight back on, and I was able to keep it that way." Notably this will be Tai's first bout since his October 2021 loss to Fumiya Fuse, in his only previous experience of fighting at Korakuen Hall, an experience that was noteworthy by the lack of atmosphere due to Covid-19 restrictions. He got the chance to taste what Korakuen Hall is all about in January, when he worked the corner for a fight, but this will be his first fight at the venue in front of a packed house. Regarding the title, Tai explained "I want this belt so badly. I will win and bring it back to Himeji."
The other title bout, the actual main event will see Daishi Nagata (20-3-2, 6) [永田大士] defending his OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific Light Welterweight titles Hiroto Hoshi (7-3-4, 3) [星大翔]. Nagata was well under the limit, at 139.5lbs, and looked in great shape whilst was slightly heavier at 139.7lbs.
Speaking about the bout Nagata was really full of praise of Hoshi, stating "He's coming here after winning against an opponent who I drew with. I can feel his passion for this match. People are underestimating him, but he's the scariest opponent I've ever faced." He then added "That's why I'm going to show even more power and defeat him." As for Hoshi he seemed confident that he had what it takes to pick up the win, saying "Nagata is a fighter with human strength. I will surpass him because of how much I want to win the belt. In the end, I will leave the ring with the belt on my back,"
One of the bouts, arguably the more interesting of the two from a stylistic perspective, will see defensive minded counter-puncher Ryusei Kawaura (12-2, 8) [川浦龍生] defending his WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight title against hard hitting switch hitter Takahiro Tai (8-1, 8) [田井宜広]. For Kawaura, who is seeking his first defense of the title, he has been matched with someone who has a completely different style to his own, and really has danger in both hands, whilst Tai is taking on, arguably, his most talented opponent to date.
On the scales Kawaura was 114.5lbs and looked in great shape. He explained his desire to retained, telling journalists "I can't let the belt I finally got be taken from me so soon. As the champion, I have to defend it well. I have to win no matter what." Whilst talking about Tai, Kawaura admitted "I've never fought a switch-hitter before, so I can't really say, but I want to value my own instincts,"
As for the challenger, he was 114.3lbs, and made the most of a short turn around from his last fight, back in December, explaining "I didn't put too much weight back on, and I was able to keep it that way." Notably this will be Tai's first bout since his October 2021 loss to Fumiya Fuse, in his only previous experience of fighting at Korakuen Hall, an experience that was noteworthy by the lack of atmosphere due to Covid-19 restrictions. He got the chance to taste what Korakuen Hall is all about in January, when he worked the corner for a fight, but this will be his first fight at the venue in front of a packed house. Regarding the title, Tai explained "I want this belt so badly. I will win and bring it back to Himeji."
The other title bout, the actual main event will see Daishi Nagata (20-3-2, 6) [永田大士] defending his OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific Light Welterweight titles Hiroto Hoshi (7-3-4, 3) [星大翔]. Nagata was well under the limit, at 139.5lbs, and looked in great shape whilst was slightly heavier at 139.7lbs.
Speaking about the bout Nagata was really full of praise of Hoshi, stating "He's coming here after winning against an opponent who I drew with. I can feel his passion for this match. People are underestimating him, but he's the scariest opponent I've ever faced." He then added "That's why I'm going to show even more power and defeat him." As for Hoshi he seemed confident that he had what it takes to pick up the win, saying "Nagata is a fighter with human strength. I will surpass him because of how much I want to win the belt. In the end, I will leave the ring with the belt on my back,"