DACQUEL TO DEFEND OPBF SUPER FLY CROWN IN OSAKA

OPBF super flyweight champion Rene Dacquel (left) with his manager Ryota Kato.

REIGNING Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super flyweight champion Rene “Commander” Dacquel of the Philippines will defend his title against Japanese challenger Shota Kawaguchi on April 2 at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.

It will be promoted by Reason Promotions. The 26-year old Dacquel (18-6-1, 6 Kos) is based in Japan and is managed by Ryota Kato of United Boxing Gym.

The native from Manabo, Abra is making his second title-defense of the interim crown he won via a 9^th round technical knockout win against Rathaphol Suwaonsoda last April 1 in Bacolod.

He retained it with a unanimous decision win over Japan’s Go Onaga last August 21 in Okinawa, Japan. Dacquel is also a former IBO International, WBC Youth World, Philippine and Luzproba super flyweight champion.

Kawaguchi, on the other hand, is toting 20-7-1, 8 Kos.

The 32-year old Japanese previously won the interim WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight title via a technical decision over Rakniran Muadransarakam last October 28 in Cagayan de Oro City.

Kawaguchi also beat Filipino Jonathan Francisco by a UD last April 29 in Osaka. But Kawaguchi twice bowed to another Filipino Sonny Boy Jaro in their successive encounter both held in Osaka in 2015.