TOP MARKS FOR YAMANAKA

When Shinsuke Yamanaka started boxing, his dream was to become a world champion, and now the reality is consolidation through defences of his crown.

Yamanaka, the WBC bantamweight champion, will face young, hungry and ambitiou challenger Luis Nery on August 15 at Shimadzu Arena in Kyoto, Japan. This was confirmed by the champion at the Teiken Gym.

The 34-year-old fighter, in his previous fight, defended his title by stopping Carlos Carlson with a seventh round TKO in Tokyo in March. That was the twelfth defense of his crown, the second longest streak ever   by a Japanese champion.

Yamanaka will tie former WBA lightweight champion Yoko Gushiken in defenses number in case he defeats Nery.

“The only goal I had was to become a world champion. Things like breaking records and making history was not then on my mind. I had never imagined this, and I am very proud of. ”

Yamanaka will have to stave off a very hard hitting opponent. Also southpaw Luis Nery possesses stunning power.