Mishiro vacates, eyes world title shot
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Earlier today Hironori Mishiro (17-1-1, 6) [三代大訓] announced that he had vacated he Japanese Lightweight title, and would not be defending it, as Champion Carnival bout against Yudai Murakami (6-2) [村上雄大].
Notably when Mishiro last defended his title, doing so in late 2024 when he stopped former Japanese Featherweight champion Hinata Maruta (14-3-1, 10) [丸田陽七太], he explained that he was intending to defend his belt at the Champion Carnival however he would vacate the Japanese title if a shot for the IBF world title was possible for him. During his announcement of him vacating the title he explained "It was an important belt, but I'm giving it up and moving on to the next step!" suggesting a world title, or eliminator, could well be just around the corner for him. He also apologised to Murakami, saying "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience I've caused you."
Mishiro, who also added "I have decided to give up the Japanese belt, which I have defended twice. I will now give it up and move on to the next stage, so I will train even harder."
Although no announcement has been made on when Mishiro will be back out, it seems hard to imagine him vacating unless a world title eliminator is set to be made and that he could get a possible world title fight by the end of the year.
As for Murakami, he is likely to face another top domestic contender for the now vacant title.
Notably when Mishiro last defended his title, doing so in late 2024 when he stopped former Japanese Featherweight champion Hinata Maruta (14-3-1, 10) [丸田陽七太], he explained that he was intending to defend his belt at the Champion Carnival however he would vacate the Japanese title if a shot for the IBF world title was possible for him. During his announcement of him vacating the title he explained "It was an important belt, but I'm giving it up and moving on to the next step!" suggesting a world title, or eliminator, could well be just around the corner for him. He also apologised to Murakami, saying "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience I've caused you."
Mishiro, who also added "I have decided to give up the Japanese belt, which I have defended twice. I will now give it up and move on to the next stage, so I will train even harder."
Although no announcement has been made on when Mishiro will be back out, it seems hard to imagine him vacating unless a world title eliminator is set to be made and that he could get a possible world title fight by the end of the year.
As for Murakami, he is likely to face another top domestic contender for the now vacant title.