Teshigawara and Tapales make weight for world title eliminator
Later today many Western fans will get their first chance to see Japanese Super Bantamweight contender Hiroaki Teshigawara (22-2-2, 15) [勅使河原 弘晶] in action, as he takes on former WBO Bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales (34-3, 17) in an IBF Super Bantamweight world title eliminator.
Yesterday the two men took part in their weigh in and both men made the 122lb limit with no issues, in fact both men were around 0.5lbs under the limit, and both looked in great shape for the bout.
Tapales, the naturally smaller man, seemed to be brimming with confidence, and he looked in, arguably, the shape of his career. Although not a big fighter, or a fighter with a hugely impressive looking record, he is a dangerous and gutsy fighter who has scored some great wins, and his bout with Pungluang Sor Singyu for the WBO Bantamweight title is a genuine forgotten gem of a bout, with incredible drama. He will know he needs a win here to get a chance to become a 2-weight world champion, but he'll also feel he's the under-dog.
Although unknown outside of Asia Teshigawara is "Mr Korakuen Hall", who is hugely popular at home thanks to fighting his entire career, so far, as the Holy Land of Japanese boxing. He has had an excellent run of results at home, beating several former world title challengers, and he'll known a win here will open up a world title fight in 2022 for him. Although not the most technically gifted fighter he's actually a smart boxer, who sets a unique rhythm that can upset fighters, and he's crafty. He's also a man who came through the ranks thanks to Koichi Wajima, and embodies some of Wajima's never say die mentality.
Despite only travelling to the US recently Teshigawara, also known was "Teshie", didn't explained that he wasn't tired, ans instead stated "I'm in great shape. Tomorrow I'll spend all my life defeating Tapales and win. I'll sell the name of Hiroaki Teshigawara to the United States,"
For fans wanting to watch this one, it will be featured on the card headlined by Nonito Donaire Vs Reymart Gaballo.
Yesterday the two men took part in their weigh in and both men made the 122lb limit with no issues, in fact both men were around 0.5lbs under the limit, and both looked in great shape for the bout.
Tapales, the naturally smaller man, seemed to be brimming with confidence, and he looked in, arguably, the shape of his career. Although not a big fighter, or a fighter with a hugely impressive looking record, he is a dangerous and gutsy fighter who has scored some great wins, and his bout with Pungluang Sor Singyu for the WBO Bantamweight title is a genuine forgotten gem of a bout, with incredible drama. He will know he needs a win here to get a chance to become a 2-weight world champion, but he'll also feel he's the under-dog.
Although unknown outside of Asia Teshigawara is "Mr Korakuen Hall", who is hugely popular at home thanks to fighting his entire career, so far, as the Holy Land of Japanese boxing. He has had an excellent run of results at home, beating several former world title challengers, and he'll known a win here will open up a world title fight in 2022 for him. Although not the most technically gifted fighter he's actually a smart boxer, who sets a unique rhythm that can upset fighters, and he's crafty. He's also a man who came through the ranks thanks to Koichi Wajima, and embodies some of Wajima's never say die mentality.
Despite only travelling to the US recently Teshigawara, also known was "Teshie", didn't explained that he wasn't tired, ans instead stated "I'm in great shape. Tomorrow I'll spend all my life defeating Tapales and win. I'll sell the name of Hiroaki Teshigawara to the United States,"
For fans wanting to watch this one, it will be featured on the card headlined by Nonito Donaire Vs Reymart Gaballo.