On the 3rd, a press conference for “Prime Video Boxing 16” (September 27, Toyota Arena Tokyo) was held at a hotel in Tokyo. Takuma Inoue (Ohashi) and Tenshin Nasukawa (Teiken) will face off in a WBC World Bantamweight rematch. It was also announced that Ryosuke Nishida (Rokushima) will face Sam Goodman (Australia) in an IBF Super Bantamweight interim title bout, and Tomoya Tsuboi (Teiken) will face Ricardo Malajica (South Africa) in a WBC Super Flyweight title bout.
中央坪井をはさんで浜田剛史代表㊨、田中トレーナー photo/Naoki Fukuda
In the WBC World Super-Flyweight Title bout, Tsuboi—an amateur world championship gold medalist—will make his first bid for a world title in his fifth professional fight. Tsuboi himself showed no interest in setting the record for the fastest title win in Japan (in his fifth fight), stating, “I believe that if I win this fight and claim the belt, I’ll be able to face even stronger opponents,” thereby reemphasizing his stance since turning pro: “to fight strong opponents.”
Malajika is a right-handed boxer (who also switches stances) with a record of 17 wins (12 KOs) and 2 losses, and holds the IBO title from a minor organization. While Tsuboi described Malajika as “a solid, serious boxer,” he made no secret of his confidence, stating, “He may have more professional experience, but in terms of boxing experience, I’m dozens of times his equal.”
“He’s probably never fought a boxer like me, so there are plenty of ways to break him down,” said Tsuboi. Trainer Sen’ta Tanaka also praised him highly, saying, “His boxing IQ is outstanding. He exchanges blows with his opponent and reads them immediately.” Hearing this, it really does seem as though Tsuboi might actually manage to “dominate every round” in his first world title bout.
His first child was born in July, which he says has given him an even greater sense of responsibility. “My job is to come back with an overwhelming victory,” said Tsuboi, now a dad. Also on the same day, regarding his teammate Tenshin Nasukawa, who is vowing to avenge his loss to Takuma Inoue, Tsuboi pledged, “He’s truly approaching boxing with sincerity. I’ll win my own fight decisively and then pass the baton firmly to Tenshin Nasukawa.”
