Taniguchi and Saso make weight!
Tomorrow at Korakuen Hall we'll see a new Japanese Minimumweight champion being crowned as Masataka Taniguchi (12-3, 7) [谷口将隆] and Hizuki Saso (12-6-2, 4) [佐宗 緋月] trade blows for the title that was vacated earlier this year by Norihito Tanaka [田中教仁].
Today the two men took part in their weigh in and both men made the 105lb limit with no issues at all.
On the scales Taniguchi, who enters as the leading contender, was 104.8lbs and looked in fantastic condition. He spoke really confidently about being excited about the fight and despite having been unable to train for some of November, with the Watanabe being closed due to positive Covid19 tests within the gym, he seemed very much like a man who has trained hard and is focused on picking up a win, and the title.
Saso came in even lighter at 104.6lbs, and arguably looked even better than Taniguchi. He showed a lot of respect to Taniguchi, and spoke about Taniguchi's amateur experience as well as his world title experience. Despite speaking highly of his opponent he seemed to suggest that he had the right style, tenacity and hunger to over-come Taniguchi and become the first fighter from the T & T Gym to win a belt.
Unfortunately this bout won't be available to watch live, though it will be shown on demand on Boxing Raise, and should be available with in a day or two of the event.
Related - Taniguchi and Saso battle for vacant Japanese title
(Image credit - Watanabe Gym)
Today the two men took part in their weigh in and both men made the 105lb limit with no issues at all.
On the scales Taniguchi, who enters as the leading contender, was 104.8lbs and looked in fantastic condition. He spoke really confidently about being excited about the fight and despite having been unable to train for some of November, with the Watanabe being closed due to positive Covid19 tests within the gym, he seemed very much like a man who has trained hard and is focused on picking up a win, and the title.
Saso came in even lighter at 104.6lbs, and arguably looked even better than Taniguchi. He showed a lot of respect to Taniguchi, and spoke about Taniguchi's amateur experience as well as his world title experience. Despite speaking highly of his opponent he seemed to suggest that he had the right style, tenacity and hunger to over-come Taniguchi and become the first fighter from the T & T Gym to win a belt.
Unfortunately this bout won't be available to watch live, though it will be shown on demand on Boxing Raise, and should be available with in a day or two of the event.
Related - Taniguchi and Saso battle for vacant Japanese title
(Image credit - Watanabe Gym)