Fighters take part in final press conference for May 6th super show!
Earlier today saw the fighters from Monday’s stacked card at the Tokyo Dome taking part in their final press conference, with all 8 men involved in title fights all on stage at the same time, all talking about their bouts and engaging the media for the final time before the weigh ins tomorrow.
The first of the 4 bouts involved on the show will see a rematch between WBA Flyweight champion Seigo Yuri Akui (19-2-1, 11) [阿久井政悟] and Taku Kuwahara (13-1, 8) [桑原拓].
Akui spoke about how he'd been training for 4 weeks in Tokyo, which he explained was over in the blink of an eye. Whilst he did win the first fight by knockout, he explained that he couldn't overlook Kuwahara and was very complimentary about the challenger. As for the challenger, he explained that the bout has a story between the two men, and promised to make it an exciting fight for the fans. Like the champion he didn't play down his opponent, and said that Akui looked like he was doing well in what was a very respectful back and forth between the two men. Interestingly, whilst this fight isn’t getting all the attention, it will actually be the first world title fight at the Tokyo Dome in more than 30 years, a bit of an historic footnote to whats a massive card, with much bigger fights on it. It is also the first ever world title bout to feature a Japanese fighter at the Tokyo Dome, and the first all Japanese world title fight at the venue.
Notably the first ever world title fight featuring a Japanese fighter came on May 19th 1952 at the Korakuen Baseball Stadium, with Yoshio Shirai winning the Flyweight title, and it’s worth noting that promoter Hideyuki Ohashi did make some references to that bout in the build up to this event.
You wait for years and then you get two at the same time, as the next bout on the card will be the second ever all-Japanese world title fight at Tokyo Dome, as Takuma Inoue (19-1, 5) [井上拓真] defends the WBA Bantamweight title against Sho Ishida (34-3, 17) [石田匠]. Inoue explained that he wanted to make this fight as exciting as his last one, a KO win over Jerwin Ancajas in what was a very fan friendly bout, and move towards a unification bout. As for Ishida he explained that he was aiming for a KO and has imagined himself wearing the belt the next day. It’s worth noting that this is Inoue’s second defense of the title and Ishida’s second world title fight, with his first being a loss to Kal Yafai back in 2017. Give the styles of the men involved this could be an interesting match up, as both are skilled fighters, but both can also make for some very unexciting bouts, so it could end up being a frustrating fight for fans.
Potentially the best bout on the card will also be at Bantamweight as WBO champion Jason Moloney (27-2, 19) takes on the hard hitting Yoshiki Takei (8-0, 8) [武居由樹] in the latest chapter of the long running Japan Vs Australia rivalry, which is an often overlooked one that dates back to 1968 (something we covered back in 2020 when Moloney faced a different Japanese fighter who we’ll mention shortly), and has regularly seen the two countries clash at Bantamweight, and a rivalry that Australia are currently winning.
Takei explained that he has worked hard to prepare for the bout and that it's on a big stage, so he wants to put on a performance that stands out. He seemed confident that his power was the key to his victory. Notably he also didn't downplay his opponent, explaining that Moloney looks in good condition, and that he was looking forward to facing him. As for Moloney almost seemed to echo the comments of Takei, explaining that he was in the best shape of his career, and that it was an honour to be on such an historic event.
The main event sees Unified Super Bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23) [井上尚弥] face off with Mexican challenger Luis Nery (35-1, 27). At the press conference both men seemed calm, and seemed determined to make the most of the big stage.
Inoue stated “Finally, this day has come. I hear that Nery is also in good condition. We can have a tremendous match. It was a press conference that made me brace myself. The environment and timing have never come together like this. I'm sure the day after tomorrow will come. I want to go for the win. I hope to get the KO in the main event at Tokyo Dome". As for Nery “Since the fight was decided, I have lived a fulfilling life. My practice has been perfect. My weight is already within my limit. I want to show the bravery of a Mexican boxer. I will take on the fight with the intention of dying” before also stating “I will win by KO”.
Also at the press conference were the promoters of the event, including Bob Arum who stated “I think this is the most important fight in the history of Japanese boxing. Boxing is returning to Tokyo Dome for the first time in 34 years since the match between Mike Tyson and James Douglas.” Whilst Hideyuki Ohashi spoke about his former promoter Kenji Yonekura, and the world title bout he had at the Korakuen Stadium the predecessor to the Toke Dome, and how he wanted to put on a good show for Mr Yonekura, and carry on Yonecraism.
The first of the 4 bouts involved on the show will see a rematch between WBA Flyweight champion Seigo Yuri Akui (19-2-1, 11) [阿久井政悟] and Taku Kuwahara (13-1, 8) [桑原拓].
Akui spoke about how he'd been training for 4 weeks in Tokyo, which he explained was over in the blink of an eye. Whilst he did win the first fight by knockout, he explained that he couldn't overlook Kuwahara and was very complimentary about the challenger. As for the challenger, he explained that the bout has a story between the two men, and promised to make it an exciting fight for the fans. Like the champion he didn't play down his opponent, and said that Akui looked like he was doing well in what was a very respectful back and forth between the two men. Interestingly, whilst this fight isn’t getting all the attention, it will actually be the first world title fight at the Tokyo Dome in more than 30 years, a bit of an historic footnote to whats a massive card, with much bigger fights on it. It is also the first ever world title bout to feature a Japanese fighter at the Tokyo Dome, and the first all Japanese world title fight at the venue.
Notably the first ever world title fight featuring a Japanese fighter came on May 19th 1952 at the Korakuen Baseball Stadium, with Yoshio Shirai winning the Flyweight title, and it’s worth noting that promoter Hideyuki Ohashi did make some references to that bout in the build up to this event.
You wait for years and then you get two at the same time, as the next bout on the card will be the second ever all-Japanese world title fight at Tokyo Dome, as Takuma Inoue (19-1, 5) [井上拓真] defends the WBA Bantamweight title against Sho Ishida (34-3, 17) [石田匠]. Inoue explained that he wanted to make this fight as exciting as his last one, a KO win over Jerwin Ancajas in what was a very fan friendly bout, and move towards a unification bout. As for Ishida he explained that he was aiming for a KO and has imagined himself wearing the belt the next day. It’s worth noting that this is Inoue’s second defense of the title and Ishida’s second world title fight, with his first being a loss to Kal Yafai back in 2017. Give the styles of the men involved this could be an interesting match up, as both are skilled fighters, but both can also make for some very unexciting bouts, so it could end up being a frustrating fight for fans.
Potentially the best bout on the card will also be at Bantamweight as WBO champion Jason Moloney (27-2, 19) takes on the hard hitting Yoshiki Takei (8-0, 8) [武居由樹] in the latest chapter of the long running Japan Vs Australia rivalry, which is an often overlooked one that dates back to 1968 (something we covered back in 2020 when Moloney faced a different Japanese fighter who we’ll mention shortly), and has regularly seen the two countries clash at Bantamweight, and a rivalry that Australia are currently winning.
Takei explained that he has worked hard to prepare for the bout and that it's on a big stage, so he wants to put on a performance that stands out. He seemed confident that his power was the key to his victory. Notably he also didn't downplay his opponent, explaining that Moloney looks in good condition, and that he was looking forward to facing him. As for Moloney almost seemed to echo the comments of Takei, explaining that he was in the best shape of his career, and that it was an honour to be on such an historic event.
The main event sees Unified Super Bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23) [井上尚弥] face off with Mexican challenger Luis Nery (35-1, 27). At the press conference both men seemed calm, and seemed determined to make the most of the big stage.
Inoue stated “Finally, this day has come. I hear that Nery is also in good condition. We can have a tremendous match. It was a press conference that made me brace myself. The environment and timing have never come together like this. I'm sure the day after tomorrow will come. I want to go for the win. I hope to get the KO in the main event at Tokyo Dome". As for Nery “Since the fight was decided, I have lived a fulfilling life. My practice has been perfect. My weight is already within my limit. I want to show the bravery of a Mexican boxer. I will take on the fight with the intention of dying” before also stating “I will win by KO”.
Also at the press conference were the promoters of the event, including Bob Arum who stated “I think this is the most important fight in the history of Japanese boxing. Boxing is returning to Tokyo Dome for the first time in 34 years since the match between Mike Tyson and James Douglas.” Whilst Hideyuki Ohashi spoke about his former promoter Kenji Yonekura, and the world title bout he had at the Korakuen Stadium the predecessor to the Toke Dome, and how he wanted to put on a good show for Mr Yonekura, and carry on Yonecraism.