On the 26th, the JBC (Japan Boxing Commission) announced the latest Japanese rankings for the month of March.
日本ランク入りした片岡
Among the newly ranked fighters, the most notable is likely Raito Kataoka (Ohashi), who entered at No. 7 in the light flyweight division. The high-profile rookie with six amateur titles made his professional debut on the 24th against the Japanese No. 6-ranked Natsu Ohashi (Shonan Ryuken) and won by a 6th-round TKO. He was immediately placed in the Japanese rankings in recognition of this victory (though he does not yet hold the right to challenge for the Japanese title as he has not competed in an A-class bout). The defeated Ohashi dropped to No. 12.
With the Champion Carnival period underway, many title matches took place this month. As a result, Katsuki Mori (Ohashi) in the minimumweight division, Sho Nogami (RK Kamata) in the flyweight division, Tsubasa Narai (RK Kamata) in the super featherweight division, and David Ssemujju (Chunichi) in the welterweight division all successfully defended their titles. Newly crowned champions include Kyosuke Okamoto (HK Sports) in the featherweight division, Shinnosuke Saito (Ishikawa Gym Tachikawa) in the light weight division, Yasuomi Souda (EBISU K’s BOX) in the super welterweight division, and Kazuto Takefako (World Sports) in the middleweight division.
Meanwhile, Japanese super middleweight champion Koki Tyson (Ichiriki) vacated the title he had defended once (as of March 23).
Other newly ranked fighters include Shun Hayasaka (Yokohama Hikari) at No. 9 in the minimumweight division, Ryoma Morimoto (KWORLD3) at No. 14 in the light flyweight division, Misaki Hirano (Mitsumatsu Sports) at No. 15 in the super bantamweight division, Toshihiro Suzuki (Kadoebi Hoseki) at No. 15 in the super featherweight division, Arashi Ijuin (KWORLD3) at No. 15 in the light weight division, Kenshin Yura (Shisei) in the super light weight division, and Tatsuya Moriai (Watanabe) at No. 7 in the middleweight division.
