KYOGUCHI STAKES OPBF TITLE VS. REFUGIO APRIL 25

TITLE FIGHT. Japan’s Hiroto Kyoguchi (right) will be defending his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight title against Filipino challenger Jonathan “Hardworker” Refugio. (Photo by BRICO SANTIG)

JAPAN’S Hiroto Kyoguchi will be defending his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight title against Filipino challenger Jonathan “Hardworker” Refugio on April 25 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Both boxers tipped the scales at 114 lbs. during their official weigh-in last Monday.
It will be his first title defense of the vacant crown he won via a 3rd knockout win against another Filipino Armando dela Cruz last February 28 at the same venue.
The 23-year old Kyoguchi is still undefeated with six straight wins all by knockouts.
Kyoguchi also knocked out two other Filipino fighters Michael Camelion (1st round) and Junuel Lacar (3rd round) both held last year.
“Knockout artist yun Hapon pero mas lamang ako sa experience sa kanya,” (The Japanese is a knockout artist but I have more experience than him) said Refugio, who has a total of 30 fights with 16 wins, 4 knockouts, 5 losses and 5 draws.
Refugio, who is currently the WBC International light flyweight champion previously settled a majority draw with another Japanese Seita Ogido in their clash for the vacant WBC Youth world light flyweight title last January 8 in Okinawa.
The 23-year old native of Malaybalay City of Bukidnon previously won by a 3rd round TKO over Rey Morano last Sept. 27 in Iligan City.
Refugio also fought but lost four separate title fights before he became a champion. He first dropped a unanimous decision to Crison Omayao for the vacant Philippine minimumweight title in 2011 in Bukidnon.
Refugio then bowed to Thailand’s Chayaphon Moonsri by a 9th round TKO on Feb. 24, 2012 in Bangkok. He later lost by a 7th round TKO to Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo for the OPBF minimumweight crown on May 4, 2012 in Bacolod City.
Refugio went back to Thailand to challenge WBA Youth world minimumweight king Thammanoon Niyomtrong (Knockout CP Freshmart) but lost by a unanimous decision on March 28, 2014.
Refugio did not saw action in 2015 until he made a successful comeback via a UD over Fabio Marfa in Cagayan de Oro City on January 12, 2016.