Takuma Inoue: Jerwin Ancajas is a tough opponent but no risk, no gain

One other huge card in Japan is arising on November 15. 

A championship doubleheader that includes Takuma Inoue’s WBA bantamweight title protection in opposition to former 115-pound beltholder Jerwin Ancajas and Seigo Yuri Akui’s problem to WBA flyweight titleholder Artem Dalakian was formally introduced at a press convention at Lodge Edmont Iidabashi in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The occasion will happen at Ryogoku Nationwide Sumo Enviornment in Tokyo and can stream reside on Amazon Prime Video in Japan. 

Inoue (18-1, 4 KOs), who gained one of many 4 main bantamweight belts vacated by his older brother (by three years) Naoya Inoue with a unanimous choice over Liborio Solis in April, will headline a present for the primary time as a world titleholder.

“I’ll give followers an thrilling present, that’s the job for the primary eventer,” stated Inoue, The Ring’s No. 9-rated bantamweight.

“And I imagine it’s the character of this struggle. I’m taking up one of many hardest opponents potential as a result of that’s what followers love and it’s what I needed to do. Ancajas is a superb fighter with energy punches who defended his IBF tremendous flyweight title 9 instances. No danger, No achieve. I’ve learnt all through my profession that difficult myself is one of the best ways to enhance myself.”  

After dropping a unanimous choice to Nordine Oubaali in his first title shot (for the WBC bantamweight title) in November 2019, Inoue took three powerful home fights to show he’s greatest within the nation (beneath his older brother, after all). The experiences have matured him.

“I’m defending one of many belts which my brother collected earlier than,” stated Inoue, The Ring’s 2015 Prospect of the Yr. “However I can not cease right here. I’ve to beat Ankajas to maneuver ahead to my aim: being the undisputed champion at bantamweight following Naoya.”

Ancajas (34-3-2, 23 KOs) participated within the press convention remotely by way of a video message: 

“Japan is a gorgeous nation the place I’ve dreamed of visiting since I used to be a child. Takuma Inoue is an excellent boxer with sharp motion, like his brother. I’ve been feeling heat assist from Japanese boxing followers, particularly once I misplaced my title final 12 months. Takuma, thanks for this chance. Let’s placed on an excellent struggle!”

Jerwin Ancajas joined the press by way of video message. The Filipino veteran is happy to struggle in Japan. Picture by Naoki Fukuda

The co-main eventer additionally has an excellent story. Seigo Yuri Akui (18-2-1, 11KOs) is a tough hitter recognized domestically for his first-round TKO of future world titleholder Masamichi Yabuki in a scheduled eight-rounder in 2018. If Akui is profitable in his first world title problem, he would be the first male boxing champion from the Okayama prefecture. The final time somebody from his a part of Japan tried to win a world title was by Wolf Tokimitsu in opposition to Mexico’s WBC minimumweight champion Jose Antonio Aguirre (leading to a third-round TKO loss) precisely 22 years in the past. 

Each Tokimitsu and Akui are from the identical native secure, the Kurashiki Moriyasu Health club ran by Tatsuya Moriyasu, who turned a Japanese junior welterweight champion whereas working full time at farmer’s union in 1981. Akui, whose father and uncle have been additionally skilled boxers from the identical secure, has earned the obligatory place whereas successful and defending his Japanese flyweight title thrice.  

“I thank the champion for coming all the way in which from his nation (Ukraine) which is beneath battle,” stated Akui, The Ring’s No. 10-rated flyweight. “I’m grateful that I’m able to problem for the world title in my nation. I can not lose. I do know it is a likelihood of a lifetime, although I do know Dalakian is a extremely expert and tactical boxer who has a adorned profession since he was an novice. I’ve to set the tempo of the struggle earlier than he will get into his rhythm. I’ll keep in Tokyo (to coach) for 3 weeks beginning on October 2 and have an intensive camp on the Teiken Health club. I’ll do my greatest to be in prime form. I wish to be one of the best within the galaxy. I wish to show myself and present fellow fighters which you can be a world champion from Okayama.”  

Ring-rated Seigo Yuri Akui goals to dethrone long-reigning flyweight beltholder Artem Dalakian. Picture by Naoki Fukuda

Dalakian (22-0, 15 KOs), The Ring’s No. 3-rated flyweight who’s making his seventh title protection, additionally despatched a video message: 

“I’m at all times nervous when making ready for a world title struggle. As soon as the gong rings, I simply deal with the struggle, the opponent with none negativity. I’ll convey my belt again to Ukraine from Japan like I did in England final time (in January). As you realize my nation is at battle wherein many civilians and youngsters are being killed. However that is my work. I’m going to prepare and present an excellent struggle. I’ve studied the model of Akui already. It will likely be a troublesome struggle for him.”

There’s an eight-round particular attraction on the November 15 undercard. It options Juiki Tatsuyoshi (14-0-1, 10 KOs), the son of charismatic former WBC bantamweight champ Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, in opposition to powerful Yuki Yonaha (13-5-1, 8 KOs), who gained reputation by going the six-round distance with Tenshin Nasukawa within the kickboxing star’s professional debut in April. 

This occasion, titled “Prime Video Presents Reside Boxing 6,” is promoted by Teiken Promotion and Amazon Prime Video. Prime Video Presents Reside Boxing 5 featured unified Ring Journal junior flyweight champ Kenshiro Teraji, WBO 115-pound titleholder Junto Nakatani, and Tenshin Nasukawa at Ariake Enviornment in Tokyo on September 18.  

Amazon Prime Video continues its profitable foray into reside Japanese boxing by showcasing the nation’s widespread fighters in powerful matches. Picture by Naoki Fukuda

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