Yuki Kuroki to fight for WBA title in January
Earlier this week news broke that former multi-time world champion Yuko Kuroki (23-8-2, 10) [黒木優子] would be getting a chance to become a 3-time world champion, when she returns to the ring to headline a stacked card at Korakuen Hall on January 21st. The former WBO Female Minimumweight and WBA Atomweight champion will be up against unbeaten Korean fighter Ye Kyeng Seo (7-0-3, 5) in a bout for the WBA female Minimumweight title.
Kuroki is one of the most notable active Japanese fighters and one of the most well regarded fighters in the lower weights. The 33 year old southpaw made her debut in 2008 and despite losing 2 of her first 3 went on to claim her first world title in 2014, beating Mari Ando for the WBC Minimumweight Female title, which she defended 5 times before losing to the legendary Momo Koseki in 2017, in a WBA/WBC unification bout. She subsequently switched back and forth between Minimumweight and Atomweight winning the WBO Atomweight title in March 2023, with a win over Nanae Suzuki, making a single successful defense before losing the belt in 2023 to Eri Matsuda
As for Seo the Korean, also 33, is a lot less well known and well regarded. All 10 of her bouts so far have been in Korea and after going 7-0-1 in her first 8 bouts, she has drawn back to back bouts, both against Japanese fighters, including her only 10 rounder, a draw with Riyuma Yoshikawa for the WIBA Minimumweight title in March 2024. This is a massive step up in class for her, and she is clearly going to be the under-though likely knows the pressure will be on Kuroki, given the gulf in experience and achievements.
The bout will be one of 6 title bouts on Lemino BOXING Phoenix Battle 128, which also features a non title bout between two debutants, with all 7 bouts being female bouts, much like the Victoriva shows that Dangan put on a frequent basis.
Kuroki is one of the most notable active Japanese fighters and one of the most well regarded fighters in the lower weights. The 33 year old southpaw made her debut in 2008 and despite losing 2 of her first 3 went on to claim her first world title in 2014, beating Mari Ando for the WBC Minimumweight Female title, which she defended 5 times before losing to the legendary Momo Koseki in 2017, in a WBA/WBC unification bout. She subsequently switched back and forth between Minimumweight and Atomweight winning the WBO Atomweight title in March 2023, with a win over Nanae Suzuki, making a single successful defense before losing the belt in 2023 to Eri Matsuda
As for Seo the Korean, also 33, is a lot less well known and well regarded. All 10 of her bouts so far have been in Korea and after going 7-0-1 in her first 8 bouts, she has drawn back to back bouts, both against Japanese fighters, including her only 10 rounder, a draw with Riyuma Yoshikawa for the WIBA Minimumweight title in March 2024. This is a massive step up in class for her, and she is clearly going to be the under-though likely knows the pressure will be on Kuroki, given the gulf in experience and achievements.
The bout will be one of 6 title bouts on Lemino BOXING Phoenix Battle 128, which also features a non title bout between two debutants, with all 7 bouts being female bouts, much like the Victoriva shows that Dangan put on a frequent basis.