Murata, Brant Make Same Weight 159.25 for WBA Middleweight Battle in Osaka, Japan

By Carlos Costa

Same weight.   Defending world champion Rob Brant of Texas, USA, and Japanese challenger former titlist and Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata scaled-in at identical 159.25 pounds (72.3 Kilos) ahead of their main event rumble for the regular WBA Middleweight World title tomorrow Friday, July 12, at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.

Both orthodox warriors appeared focused and in top shape while standing fast during the official WBA weigh-in ceremony today Thursday.    They looked equally confident and ready for action during the presser Wednesday at the plush Nikko Hotel Osaka.

The clash is the second between Murata (14-2, 11 KO’s) and Brant (25-1, 17 KO’s).  

In their first battle nine months ago, Brant, 28, outclassed and dethroned Murata, 33, in a twelve-chapter unanimous decision in Las Vegas.   This time around in Japan, Murata wants so much things to be different.   Will they be?

Ring officials for the stellar battle are:  WBA supervisor José Oliver Gómez of Panama.  Puerto Rican referee, Luis Pabón will be the third man in the ring.   Judges:  South African Stanley Christodoulou, Monegasque Jean Robert Laine and experienced Mexican-American Raúl Caíz Sr.

Ring announcer will be the classy Jimmy Lennon Jr.

The fight is promoted by TEIKEN Promotions, in association with Top Rank, and will be televised live on Fuji TV in Japan and around the world on ESPN.

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The author Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and by whatsapp/viber/wechat: +639184538152.

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