Ringwalks approximately 12:00 PM UTC (8:00 AM ET / 5:00 AM PT)
Venue: Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12-round world title bout – Junior Flyweight / Light Flyweight (108 lbs / 49 kg limit)
WBA & WBO World Titles on the line (Santiago defending)

Fighter Records and Background

Rene “Chulo” Santiago (Puerto Rico, 15-4, 9 KOs, orthodox, age 33) is the unified WBA/WBO junior flyweight champion. He captured the WBO belt with a unanimous decision over Shokichi Iwata in March 2025 and unified the WBA strap via split decision over Kyosuke Takami in December 2025 — both victories coming in Tokyo. The Puerto Rican south-of-the-border visitor is on a three-fight win streak and has proven he can thrive in hostile Japanese crowds.

Masataka Taniguchi (Japan, 21-5, 15 KOs, southpaw, age 32) is a former WBO mini-flyweight (105 lbs) world champion (2021–2023) and current Japanese/OPBF light-flyweight titleholder. The local hero brings elite knockout power (71% KO rate) and aggressive pressure, but he has been inconsistent at world level since losing his 105-lb belt in 2023. This is his first shot at 108-lb gold.

Recent FormSantiago (last 5 fights: 4-1, 1 KO):

Dec. 17, 2025 – SD 12 Kyosuke Takami (unified WBA/WBO titles in Tokyo)

Mar. 13, 2025 – UD 12 Shokichi Iwata (won WBO title in Tokyo)

Oct. 30, 2024 – UD 12 Ricardo Astuvilca

Earlier 2024 wins and one loss to Jonathan González (UD 12)
Santiago has looked composed and durable in high-stakes decisions, showing excellent conditioning and ring IQ on foreign soil.

Taniguchi (last 5 fights: 3-2, 3 KOs):

Aug. 3, 2025 – TKO 5 Takeru Inoue (won vacant OPBF & Japanese light-fly titles)

May 25, 2025 – TKO 3 Condor Inaba

Dec. 15, 2024 – SD 12 loss to Thanongsak Simsri (for OPBF title)

Oct. 13, 2024 – KO 6 Paipharob Kokietgym

May 11, 2024 – UD 10 Jaysever Abcede
Taniguchi has rebounded strongly with stoppage wins but continues to show vulnerability in longer, high-level fights.

Injury Report

No reported injuries for either fighter. Santiago completed training camp in Puerto Rico and held a spirited open workout with no setbacks noted. Taniguchi has been training in Tokyo without any disclosed issues and is expected to enter at full strength. Both are cleared and medically fit.

Fighter Matchups / Styles

Orthodox vs. Southpaw: Classic cross-stance battle. Santiago (orthodox, 5’3″, 62.5″ reach) prefers counterpunching and boxing at range. Taniguchi (southpaw, 5’4″, 64.5″ reach) is an aggressive pressure fighter who stalks forward with high-volume punching and seeks to overwhelm opponents with left-hand power.

Power & Finishing: Taniguchi’s 71% KO rate makes him dangerous early, but Santiago has never been stopped (0 KOs against) and has shown strong late-round resilience in title fights.

Experience & Age: Both are 32–33 and battle-tested, but Santiago enters with fresher world-title momentum and back-to-back wins in this exact venue. Taniguchi’s home-crowd support and extra reach could prove pivotal in close rounds.

Home Advantage: Korakuen Hall will be electric for Taniguchi, but Santiago has already defeated two Japanese champions here in the last year.

Santiago holds the edge in championship experience and adaptability, while Taniguchi’s southpaw aggression and power create legitimate upset potential if he can impose his pressure early.

Fight History

This is the first meeting between the fighters. No prior amateur or professional history.

FIGHT ODDS

Masataka Taniguchi        + 280

Rene Santiago                   – 400

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 2, 2026

Event broadcast from 2:00 PM ET (ringwalks for this undercard bout expected approximately 8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET)
Venue: Planet Ice, Altrincham, Cheshire, United Kingdom
10-round Lightweight bout (135 lbs / 61.2 kg limit) – English Lightweight Title Eliminator

Fighter Records and Background

Joe “Wigan Warrior” Howarth (United Kingdom, 15-2-0, 4 KOs, age 23) is a solid prospect from Wigan with good experience for his age. He has faced meaningful opposition and is coming off a competitive title loss but remains highly regarded in British lightweight circles. Howarth brings solid fundamentals, work rate, and durability.

Josh “Blenka” Blenkiron (United Kingdom, 8-0-1, 0 KOs, age 25) is an unbeaten Newcastle prospect who recently captured the Northern Area Lightweight Title in a hard-fought decision. He is less experienced but has shown resilience and improving boxing IQ in regional title fights. Blenkiron relies on volume, heart, and tactical adaptability rather than one-punch power.

Recent Form

Howarth (last 5 fights: 3-2):

Dec. 17, 2025 – L UD 10 Giorgio Visioli (English Lightweight Title) – competitive but wide on cards.

Oct. 2025 – W vs. Karl Sampson.

Jun. 2025 – W vs. Owen Durnan.

Earlier 2025 wins against journeymen-level opposition.
Howarth has been active and competitive at domestic level but has shown vulnerability in 10-rounders against sharper technicians.

Blenkiron (last 5 fights: 4-0-1):

Jan. 31, 2026 – W PTS 10 Robbie Colman (won vacant Northern Area Lightweight Title, 96-95).

Oct. 2025 – W vs. Karl Sampson (hardest fight to date per post-fight comments).

Jul. 2025 – W vs. Jake Osgood.

Oct. 2024 – D vs. Tony McGlynn.
Blenkiron is on a strong unbeaten run with recent high-level regional success, though all wins have gone the distance.

Injury Report

No reported injuries for either fighter. Both have completed training camps without setbacks and are expected to enter the bout at full strength and medically cleared. Weigh-ins are scheduled for the day prior with standard 135 lb limit.

Fighter Matchups / Styles

Experience vs. Momentum: Howarth has nearly double the professional rounds and higher-level opposition. Blenkiron brings fresh confidence from his recent area-title win.

Power & Output: Howarth has the edge in finishing ability (26%+ KO rate) and can hurt opponents with body work and straight shots. Blenkiron has zero professional knockouts but compensates with high volume, pressure, and a granite chin (never stopped).

Tactical Edge: Southpaw/orthodox or stance details favor Howarth’s cleaner boxing in the pocket, while Blenkiron’s come-forward style and work rate could make this a grueling war if it stays long.

Home Advantage: Neutral venue in Altrincham (near Manchester), but both are popular regional fighters with strong UK fan support.

This is a classic domestic eliminator: Howarth’s experience and power versus Blenkiron’s unbeaten momentum and durability. Expect a tactical, high-work-rate scrap that could go deep.

Fight History

This is the first meeting between the two. No prior amateur or professional history.

FIGHT ODDS

Josh Blenkiron                  + 190

Joe Howarth                       – 230

Boxing Match Preview: Josh Blenkiron (8-0-1 0 KOs) vs. Joe Howarth (15-2-0, 4 KOs)Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 2, 2026

Event broadcast from 2:00 PM ET (ringwalks for this undercard bout expected approximately 8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET)
Venue: Planet Ice, Altrincham, Cheshire, United Kingdom
10-round English Super Welterweight Title Eliminator – Junior Middleweight (154 lbs / 69.9 kg limit)

Fighter Records and Background

William Crolla (Manchester, UK, 9-1, 7 KOs, age 27) is the younger brother of former world champion Anthony Crolla and a fast-rising Matchroom prospect. Trained by his brother, he boasts elite power (78% KO rate) and has blitzed through most opponents since turning pro in 2023. This is a step-up opportunity in front of his home fans as he eyes domestic titles.

Jermaine “The Caveman” Osbourne-Edwards (Wolverhampton, UK, 12-2, age 37) is a battle-hardened veteran with Midlands Area title experience. The southpaw/orthodox switcher is known for his durability, work rate, and never-back-down mentality, but he has come up short in recent English title eliminators. At 37, this could be one of his final shots at meaningful domestic contention.

Recent Form

Crolla (last 5 fights: 4-1, 4 KOs):

Dec. 17, 2025 – TKO 3 Harley Hodgetts (bounced back strongly with body attack)

Jul. 5, 2025 – L UD/TKO 6 Fraser Wilkinson (only pro loss; caught in a competitive scrap)

Mar. 2025 – PTS 6 Manny Zion (first distance fight, showed maturity)

Oct. 2024 – KO 1 Ayoub Zakari (impressive stoppage streak)
Crolla has looked explosive since his lone defeat, with multiple early finishes and improving ring IQ.

Osbourne-Edwards (last 5 fights: 3-2):

Sep. 19, 2025 – UD 6 Paul Cummings (dropped opponent; shutout win in hometown)

Mar. 2025 – L vs. Sean Noakes (English title eliminator)

Nov. 2024 – L UD 10 Eithan James (competitive but outpointed in eliminator)

Earlier 2024/2025 wins against journeymen
Osbourne-Edwards remains tough and active but has struggled against sharper, younger prospects in 10-rounders.

Injury Report

No reported injuries for either fighter. Both have completed full training camps without setbacks. Crolla and Osbourne-Edwards are expected to weigh in at the 154 lb limit on April 2 and enter the bout medically cleared and at full strength.

Fighter Matchups / Styles

Power vs. Durability: Crolla’s elite knockout power and aggressive southpaw/orthodox pressure should test Osbourne-Edwards’ chin early. “The Caveman” has never been stopped but has been dropped and outworked in recent defeats.

Experience vs. Youth: Osbourne-Edwards brings 14 pro fights and veteran savvy, while Crolla (only 10 bouts) has higher-quality recent opposition and sharper finishing ability.

Tactical Edge: Crolla’s hand speed and body work give him the advantage in exchanges. Osbourne-Edwards will look to make it messy, use his jab, and drag the fight into the later rounds where his durability shines.

Home Advantage: Planet Ice will be packed with Manchester support for Crolla, adding extra pressure on the veteran challenger.

This is a classic prospect-vs-veteran eliminator: Crolla’s power and momentum against Osbourne-Edwards’ experience and toughness. Expect Crolla to push the pace and look for an early-to-mid-round stoppage.

Fight History

This is the first meeting between the two. No prior amateur or professional history.

FIGHT ODDS

Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards     + 375

William Crolla                                   – 500

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 2, 2026

Ringwalks approximately 20:45 BST (3:45 PM ET)
Venue: Planet Ice, Altrincham, Cheshire, United Kingdom
10-round Cruiserweight bout (200 lbs / 90.7 kg limit)
WBA International Cruiserweight Title (and vacant IBF Inter-Continental Cruiserweight Title) on the line
Main Event – Matchroom Boxing / DAZN

Fighter Records and Background

Pat “The Bomber” Brown (Manchester, UK, 5-0, 5 KOs, orthodox, age 26) is a former Team GB Olympian and one of Britain’s brightest cruiserweight prospects. Nominated for The Ring’s 2025 Prospect of the Year, Brown has stopped every opponent inside four rounds and is making his second headline appearance in his hometown. He is viewed by Eddie Hearn and many insiders as a future world champion.

Vasil Ducar (Znojmo, Czech Republic, 19-7-2, 14 KOs, orthodox, age 36) is a battle-tested veteran with 28 professional fights. He has shared the ring with top British cruisers including Chris Billam-Smith, Cheavon Clarke, and Jordan Thompson, often going the distance or pushing opponents hard. Ducar brings durability, experience, and a solid KO rate, but enters as a significant underdog against the explosive prospect.

Recent Form

Brown (last 5 fights: 5-0, 5 KOs):

Nov. 1, 2025 – KO 2 Felix Valera (impressive US debut stoppage)

Sep. 13, 2025 – TKO 2 Austine Nnamdi (Belfast)

Jul. 5, 2025 – TKO 1 Lewis Oakford (Manchester Arena)

Jun. 21, 2025 – KO 2 Ivan Duka (Birmingham)

Earlier 2025 debut win
Brown has looked devastating, finishing every opponent early with power and precision.

Ducar (last 5 fights: mixed, recent activity limited):

Jun. 13, 2025 – TKO win vs. Robert Kurka (domestic-level stoppage)

Earlier bouts include competitive losses or decisions against higher-level opposition (e.g., Clarke, Thompson).
Ducar remains tough and active enough for a step-up but has not faced anyone with Brown’s explosive early power in recent years.

Injury Report

No reported injuries for either fighter. Both have completed training camps without setbacks and are expected to weigh in at the 200 lb cruiserweight limit on April 2. Both are medically cleared and at full strength.

Fighter Matchups / Styles

Orthodox vs. Orthodox: Mirror-image stances at identical 6’3″ height. Brown’s superior hand speed, footwork, and one-punch power should allow him to control range and set up body-head combinations.

Power & Finishing: Brown’s 100% KO rate and Olympic-level athleticism make him a nightmare early. Ducar’s 14 KOs show he can hurt opponents, but his chin has been tested (never stopped by elite power) and he relies on durability and volume rather than one-shot finishing.

Experience vs. Youth: Ducar’s 28-fight resume gives him ring savvy and the ability to weather storms, but at 36 he may struggle with Brown’s pace and explosiveness. Brown (just 10 pro rounds total) is unproven over the distance but has shown elite finishing ability.

Home Advantage: Planet Ice will be electric for local hero Brown, adding pressure on Ducar, who has previously boxed in the UK but rarely in such a hostile environment.

This is a classic prospect-vs-veteran test: Brown’s terrifying power and momentum versus Ducar’s experience and toughness. Expect Brown to push aggressively for an early stoppage.

Fight History

This is the first meeting between the two. No prior amateur or professional history.

FIGHT ODDS

Vasil Ducar          + 850

Pat Brown           – 1800

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 2, 2026