Hata and Watanabe make weight for OPBF title clash
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Tomorrow at Korakuen Hall we'll see OPBF Super Featherweight champion Yamato Hata (16-2, 15) [波田大和] defending his title against 36 year old veteran Takuya Watanabe (41-13-1, 22) [渡邉 卓也], in a bout that will pit the heavy hands of Hata against the battled hardened toughness of Watanabe.
Today, ahead of their bout, the two men took part in their weigh in, and both men made the 130lb limit, with no issues at all.
On the scales Hata was 129.7lbs and looked in sensation shape, something he later confirmed as he told the press he was "in great shape". Talking about Watanabe, the champion explained that the challenger was taller and that "I know he's a kind person, so I'll try not to let that hold me back." Interestingly Hata went on to say that he’s been working on a lot in the gym, saying "I don't think I can show everything I've learned from working with Carlos (trainer Carlos Linares), but even if I can show even a little, it will lead to victory.”
Watanabe on the other hand came in bang on at 130lbs, for what will be his 6th shot at the OPBF title Talking about the fight, Watanabe explained "The champions who have fought me up until now are true champions," before saying, "Hata has a different kind of animalistic strength from the fighters I've fought so far." It’s worth noting that his previous losses in OPBF title fights have been against fighters who are less dangerous than Hata, but are talented boxers, with the fighters in question being Musashi Mori, twice, Masanori Rikiishi, Hironori Mishiro and Masanori Ito.
Rather notably Watanabe, with 56 bouts to his name, has more bouts than any other active Japanese fighter. Despite that, he will be the clear under-dog here.
Today, ahead of their bout, the two men took part in their weigh in, and both men made the 130lb limit, with no issues at all.
On the scales Hata was 129.7lbs and looked in sensation shape, something he later confirmed as he told the press he was "in great shape". Talking about Watanabe, the champion explained that the challenger was taller and that "I know he's a kind person, so I'll try not to let that hold me back." Interestingly Hata went on to say that he’s been working on a lot in the gym, saying "I don't think I can show everything I've learned from working with Carlos (trainer Carlos Linares), but even if I can show even a little, it will lead to victory.”
Watanabe on the other hand came in bang on at 130lbs, for what will be his 6th shot at the OPBF title Talking about the fight, Watanabe explained "The champions who have fought me up until now are true champions," before saying, "Hata has a different kind of animalistic strength from the fighters I've fought so far." It’s worth noting that his previous losses in OPBF title fights have been against fighters who are less dangerous than Hata, but are talented boxers, with the fighters in question being Musashi Mori, twice, Masanori Rikiishi, Hironori Mishiro and Masanori Ito.
Rather notably Watanabe, with 56 bouts to his name, has more bouts than any other active Japanese fighter. Despite that, he will be the clear under-dog here.