#1Wake, #2Guzman to collide for vacant IBF 122lb belt tonight

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Sumio Yamada

As Carl Frampton renounced the IBF 122-pound belt, the vacant throne will be disputed by #1 Shingo Wake (20-4-2, 12 KOs) and #2 Jonathan Guzman (21-0-1NC, 21 KOs) today (Wednesday) in Osaka, Japan. The 5’9” Japanese southpaw Wake acquired the IBF top rank by defeating also world-rated Mike Tawatchai in June of the previous year, but was forced to wait for his turn to fight for the world belt after the Frampton-Quigg unification bout this February. During Wake’s long wait Guzman, of Dominican Republic, gained his right by stopping #14 Daniel Rosas after eight rounds in New Jersey in an eliminator to decide the IBF#2 contender last April. The Wake-Guzman bout will be a competitive encounter between the southpaw counterpuncher and the orthodox hard-puncher though we look forward to watching a quick finish.

The IBF officials are as follows: referee Wayne Hedgpeth (US); judges Jonathan Davis (Philippines), Luigi Zaccardi (Italy), Tony Marretta (Australia); supervisor Anibal Miramontes (US).

Wake tipped the beam at 121.75 pounds, while Guzman 121—both under the 122-pound class limit. At the second weigh-in of this morning, Wake scaled in at 126.75 to 130 for Guzman—under the IBF’s regulation of ten pounds over the class limit, that is, 132 pounds.

This is a world title doubleheader, and the main event will feature the WBA flyweight title go between defending champ Kazuto Ioka (19-1, 11 KOs) of Japan and Nicaraguan challenger Keyvin Lara (18-1-1, 6 KOs). Ioka, making his third defense, and Lara both weighed in at the 112-pound limit.

The WBA officials are as follows: referee Eddie Claudio (US); judges Glen Feldman (US), Jan Christensen (Denmark), Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand); supervisor Aurelio Fiengo (Panama).

The show, co-promoted by Ioka and Kyoei Promotions, will be shown live nationwide through TBS television from 8 PM tonight.

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