Nicaraguan Felix Alvarado Defends IBF 108 World Title Against Reiya Konishi May 19 in Kobe, Japan

By Carlos Costa

Knockout artist IBF Light Flyweight World Champion Felix Alvarado — the Nicaraguan striker who overpowered Filipino Randy Petalcorin last October at the Midas Hotel in Manila, Philippines — has been penciled to make the first defense of his red & golden belt against IBF’s highest-ranked challenger Reiya Konishi (17-1, 7 KO’s) on Sunday, May 19 in the challenger’s hometown, the seaside city of Kobe in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

The IBF title clash was confirmed today by the champion’s handler, Florida-based boxing manager William Ramírez, who already signed the fight contract with Konishi’s representative, Japanese Hall of Famer promoter Akihiko Honda of the Teiken Promotions.

The news was echoed in Nicaragua by Alvarado’s promoter Pablo Osuna and Los Angeles-based boxing reporter Bryan Saavedra, and the hard-hitting 108-pounder lion king has already begun training in his hometown of Managua, capital of the beautiful Land of Lakes and Volcanoes.

IBF Light Flyweight World Champion Felix Alvarado with Veteran Coach Luis Ernesto Cortez

Felix Alvarado, 30, will be trained by his experienced award-winning head coach Luis Ernesto Cortez, 73, a veteran man of boxing who used to work in the corner of Nicaraguan legendary champion Alexis Argüello.

Awarded as Nicaragua’s “2018 Fighter of the Year,” Felix Alvarado (34-2, 30 KO’s) will wage his second battle in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Five years ago as a world title challenger, Alvarado fought twelve tough chapters against then WBA 108 world champ Kazuto Ioka (23-2, 13 KO’s), losing by points in Osaka.

This time around as a world champion, the more matured Felix Alvarado is favorite to retain belt against the IBF # 3 Konishi, a laser-focused glory-hungry opponent who has already challenged for a world title.

Indeed, in March of last year, Reiya Konishi fought twelve high tempo stanzas against undefeated hard-hitting Venezuelan Carlos Antonio Cañizales (21-0-1, 17 KO’s) for the vacant WBA 108-pound strap, losing a unanimous decision in front of his hometown cheering crowd in Kobe.

IBF # 3 Light Flyweight Reiya Konishi 小西伶弥 challenges Alvarado on May 19 in Kobe, Japan

In this second shot at a world title, will Nippon warrior Reiya Konishi, 25, be victorious against yet another powerful, destructive Latino coming-forward brawler?

Or will the dangerous Nicaraguan IBF world champion Felix Alvarado leave Konishi again defeated and empty-handed in front of his hometown fans?

Boxing fans will find out May 19, and may the best man win.

The #AlvaradoKonishi IBF title fight in Kobe on May 19 will be broadcast live in Japan on Tokyo’s WOWOW satellite TV station, and in Nicaragua very likely on Canal 4, La Mejor Television.

The author Carlos Costa from Panama is a veteran fight reporter based in Cebu, Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: carlos512@hotmail.com or WhatsApp/Viber +639184538152.