Kimura, Nasiyiwula Battle in Regional Title Fights Saturday in Shanghai, De la Hoya Attending

By Carlos Costa

China Battles Japan in competitive pro boxing clashes this Saturday, March 30, with Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar de la Hoya flying all the way from Los Angeles to Shanghai to attend the exciting event.

Produced by top Chinese boxing promoter Liu Gang of Max Power Promotions, the show’s main event features world-ranked Japanese former world champion Sho Kimura (17-2-2, 10 KO’s) in collision course against experienced Thai warrior former WBC Asian Champion Wicha Phulaikhao (60-10-2, 24 KO’s) for the vacant OPBF Silver Flyweight Title.

Kimura — the same dangerous fighter who damaged Zou Shiming’s retina, ending the Chinese’s stellar boxing career — aims at battling again for a flyweight world title; and claiming the OPBF this Saturday in Shanghai most definitely elevates his chances. A lost would be catastrophic.

In the co-main feature, tough Japanese 140-pounder Yusuke Konno (今野裕介) challenges WBA world-ranked Urumqi warrior “The Destroyer” Baishanbo Nasiyiwula (15-2-1, 6 KO’s) from China’s far northwest for his WBA Asia Light Welterweight strap, the winner getting a step closer to a world title shot.

Also, unbeaten hard-hitting Japanese Ryota Yamauchi (山内涼太 ) of Tokyo wages war against more-experienced Chinese combatant Wulan Tuolehazi (10-3-1, 5 KO’s) for the vacant WBA International Flyweight belt; and a berth in WBA the world-rankings.

The clash will be the first time that the promising 24 year-old Ryota Yamauchi (4-0, 4 KO’s) battles in foreign lands. Will he handle this important mission… or will crumble under the pressure?

In addition, hard-swinging Ryuto Maekawa (11-1-1, 7 KO’s) from the Land of the Rising Sun climbs up to the square ring to engage in battle fearless Middle Kingdom combatant Zhang Fangyong (张方勇) in a non-title melee in the flyweight division.

More entertaining combats between Japanese and Chinese pro boxers will delight fans in attendance at the plush Putuo Indoor Stadium, 400 Caoyang Lu (near Puxiong Lu) in Shanghai, China.

The event is a production of award-winning promoter Liu Gang of Max Power Promotions, the boxing company that promotes WBA Featherweight World Champion Can Xu (16-2, 2 KO’s).

“We are happy to stage this exciting boxing show,” said Liu Gang. “And we are delighted to welcome Mr. Oscar de la Hoya to China. He will arrive here tomorrow Tuesday.”

The first fight starts at 7 PM.

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber: +639184538152.