In what promises to be a thrilling encounter in Tokyo’s historic Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Japanese world champion Takuma Inoue will defend his WBA bantamweight title against Filipino boxing icon Jerwin Ancajas. The bout, scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, has boxing fans across the world eagerly waiting. Takuma, the younger sibling of the globally acclaimed Naoya Inoue, is looking forward to the first defense of his title. His opponent, Ancajas, seeks a world title in a new weight class. The co-feature bout of the championship showcases Artem Dalakian defending his WBA flyweight world title against Japanese boxer Seigo Yuri Akui.
A Closer Look at the Fighters:
Inoue: With a record of 18-1 and 4 KOs, this nine-year pro showcased his skill and resilience against Nordine Oubaali for the WBC bantamweight world title in November 2019. He recovered from an early drop in that fight and hasn’t looked back since. The 27-year-old champion secured the WBA crown in April against former junior bantamweight world champion Liborio Solis.
Ancajas: The 31-year-old southpaw, boasting a record of 34-3-2 with 23 KOs, acquired the IBF junior bantamweight world title in 2016. After nine successful defenses, he was eventually defeated by Fernando Daniel Martinez in 2022. Ancajas’ return to form was marked by a fifth-round TKO victory over Wilner Soto in June.
Dalakian vs. Akui: Undefeated Dalakian, with a 22-0 record, will face Akui, who is in impressive form with 18-2-1. This fight is especially significant for Akui, as he looks to claim his first world title.
Undercard Highlights:
Yuki Yonaha, with a record of 13-5-1, will face the undefeated Juiki Tatsuyoshi in a junior featherweight bout. Yonaha seeks redemption after a recent loss, while Tatsuyoshi aims to protect his flawless record.
Bantamweight fighter Riko Masuda, with a 3-1 record, is set to challenge former world title contender Jonas Sultan in an eight-round contest. Both fighters are keen to make a statement in this encounter.
