WA-O, YAMAMOTO MAKE WEIGHT IN OSAKA FOR OPBF TITLE-FIGHT

Challenger Rex "Igorot Warrior" Wa-o of the Philippines (left) and OPBF bantamweight champion Takahiro Yamamoto of Japan after their weigh-in at Hotel Monterey in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES) — Challenger Rex “Igorot Warrior” Wa-o of the Philippines (left) and OPBF bantamweight champion Takahiro Yamamoto of Japan after their weigh-in at Hotel Monterey in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)

By LITO DELOS REYES

OSAKA, Japan (July 19) —- Former WBC International bantamweight champion Rex “Irogot Warrior” Wao of the Philippines and reigning Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Takahiro Yamamoto of Japan both made their weight today at the Hotel Monterey in Osaka, Japan.

Yamamoto, who first tipped the scales immediately passed the limit.

But Wao still had to remove his underwear in order to make the 118 lbs. weight limit in his second attempt at the scales.

“Pina-tanggal ko na lang ang brief nya kasi isang guhit na lang yun sobrang bigat,” said trainer Eric Santig.

Wa-o of the Highland Gym from La Trinidad, Benguet arrived Tuesday with still having weight problems.

“Bumabalik yun mabigat niyang timbang dahil sa dami ng tubig na iniium niya palagi sa training,” said Santig.

Wa-o-, however, has already recovered from his sacrifice of not eating without any food since he arrived in Manila and later in Osaka.

“Okay lang ako. Makaka-recover pa rin ako bukas. Seryoso akong lalaban,” said Wa-o.

The 26-year old Wao last won by a first round technical knockout against Mike Espanosa on March 3, 2015 at the Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena in Makati City.

He previously fought but lost to Xian Qian Wei by a unanimous decision last November 3 at the EXPO Garden Hotel, Kunming, China for both the WBC Asian Boxing Council featherweight title and the WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council featherweight title.

Wao, who has 11 wins with 9 Kos against only 2 loses and no draw, won the vacant WBC International bantamweight crown by stopping Virden Rivera on June 25, 2014 in Mandaluyong City.

Yamamoto, on the other hand, has 17 wins, 4 loses with 14 Kos. He won the OPBF title in a rematch with Yu Kawaguchi via a 7th round TKO on August 2 at the Prefectural Gym in Osaka.

He earlier lost by a split decision to Kawaguchi in their first championship fight. Yamamoto retained the crown via a 2nd round TKO victory over fellow Japanese Yuki Strong Kobayashi last December 31 in Osaka.

The 12-round Yamamoto-Wa-0 title-fight is the undercard of the title-fight for the vacant IBF World super bantamweight crown between Japan’s Shingo Wake (20-4-2) and Dominican Republic’s Jonathan Guzman (21-0-0).

Also featured are the WBA World flyweight championship between Kazuto Ioka (19-1-0) and Keyvin Lara (18-1-1) and the Japanese super welterweight title-fight of Yuki Nonaka (29-8-3) and Ryosuke Maruki (12-3-1).

Kazuto Ioka (19-1-0) of Japan inspects his pair of gloves which he will be using against Keyvin Lara (18-1-1) in their championship fight for the WBA World flyweight championship. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)