An open training session for Tomoya Tsuboi (Teiken), who is set to contest the WBC World Super-Flyweight title at ‘Prime Video Boxing 16’ (27 September, Toyota Arena Tokyo), took place on the 16th at a gym in Tokyo. Tsuboi will face South Africa’s Ricardo Malajika for the vacant title.
世界戦が楽しみな坪井 photo/Naoki Fukuda
Having turned professional after becoming an amateur world champion, he is set to make his first world title challenge just a year and a half after his debut. “I want to properly express my gratitude in the ring,” says Tsuboi. Although his previous bout (his fourth professional fight) against Pedro Guevara (Mexico) ended in a no-contest, he took responsibility for the accidental clash of heads, demonstrating a high level of self-awareness by stating, “I’ve adjusted my sense of distance and balance.” The fact that Tsuboi is holding his head high, declaring, ‘I’m in excellent shape’, is likely because he feels he has left no stone unturned in his preparations.
Regarding Marajka, he remarked, ‘He’s skilful at the fundamentals of boxing. In a jab exchange, if I can dominate with my lead hand first, I think the fight will unfold in a way where I can do anything,’ once again emphasising his determination to ‘completely dominate’ the bout. Nevertheless, he recognises Marajka as a formidable opponent and remains on his guard.
The training session, which included shadow boxing, mitt work and heavy bag work, was open to the media. Ryota Murata, a former Teiken boxer who went from Olympic gold medallist in the middleweight division to professional world champion, also made an appearance. Mr Murata commented on the precision of Tsuboi’s footwork, noting, ‘Tsuboi takes one more step than other fighters.’ He explained that this reduces the time he spends off the ground, thereby minimising the risk of being caught by his opponent’s punches.
Tsuboi himself described Marajica as having ‘the serious, disciplined movements of a Japanese boxer’, whilst Tsuboi, conversely, possesses a style that is atypical of Japanese boxers. ‘I intend to practise Tsuboi-style boxing—something other fighters aren’t doing. I hope people can sense that,’ he said. We look forward to the bout.
The event will be streamed live on Prime Video. With the Inoue–Nasukawa rematch as the main event, the card also features Tomoya Tsuboi (Teiken) v Ricardo Marajika (South Africa) for the WBC Super-Flyweight title, Ryosuke Nishida (Rokushima) v Sam Goodman (Australia) for the IBF Super-Bantamweight interim title, and Ryusei Matsumoto (Teiken) v Russell Acosta (Mexico) for the WBO Minimumweight interim title. A total of four title fights will take place.
