Ginjir Shigeoka vacates WBO Asia Pacific title
Yesterday we reported that Yudai Shigeoka (3-0, 2) [重岡優大] had vacated the Japanese Youth Light Flyweight title, with the fighter suggesting he was looking towards winning a more senior title. Today, just a day later, it's been announced that Yudai's younger brother Ginjiro Shigeoka (6-0, 5) [重岡銀次朗] has just vacated the WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight title.
Since winning the title in 2019 Ginjiro has defended the belt twice, stopping Rey Loreto at the end of 2019 and stopping Toshiki Kawamitsu [川満俊輝] just last month. He explained that he vacated the title due to wanting to fighter on a bigger stage, and it seems clear that he is chasing a world title fight later in the year, something that is no surprise given he's already ranked by all 4 world title bodies.
Interestingly Ginjiro seemed open to not just fighting any of the champions, but travelling to face them, and it may well be that we see the explosive youngster travel away from Japan for a world title fight before the end of 2021.
Given Ginjiro has vacated this regional title we wouldn't be surprised at all to see Yudai fight for the WBO Asia Pacific title next year, following in his brothers footsteps and using that title as a launch pad himself, towards a world title fight in the next few years.
Since winning the title in 2019 Ginjiro has defended the belt twice, stopping Rey Loreto at the end of 2019 and stopping Toshiki Kawamitsu [川満俊輝] just last month. He explained that he vacated the title due to wanting to fighter on a bigger stage, and it seems clear that he is chasing a world title fight later in the year, something that is no surprise given he's already ranked by all 4 world title bodies.
Interestingly Ginjiro seemed open to not just fighting any of the champions, but travelling to face them, and it may well be that we see the explosive youngster travel away from Japan for a world title fight before the end of 2021.
Given Ginjiro has vacated this regional title we wouldn't be surprised at all to see Yudai fight for the WBO Asia Pacific title next year, following in his brothers footsteps and using that title as a launch pad himself, towards a world title fight in the next few years.