The weigh-in for “Lemino BOXING PHOENIX BATTLE 153,” which will take place tomorrow, the 7th, at Korakuen Hall, was held at a facility within Tokyo Dome City. All 14 female athletes competing in the seven bouts successfully made weight on their first attempt, clearing the challenging final hurdle before the event.
計量をクリアした山中㊧と鵜川
The main event features a vacant IBF female world atomweight title bout between No. 1 ranked Sumire Yamanaka(Shinsei), who weighed in at 45.9 kg, and No. 3 ranked Nao Ugawa (Misako), who weighed 46.0 kg.
The 24-year-old Yamanaka previously held this same belt but was stripped of her title after losing a four-belt unification match in Germany last April; she now seeks to return to the world throne. She revealed that she has been sending sparring videos via LINE to her brother, former WBO world minimumweight champion Ryuya Yamanaka, for advice, noting, “He told me I look like I’m in good form.”
For the 30-year-old Ugawa, this marks her first world title challenge in her seventh professional fight. While stating, “I’ll do what I need to do, just like any other match,” she also admitted, “I am definitely nervous.” Ugawa, who is an employee of the Japan Volleyball Association, expressed her gratitude: “I’ve been able to continue this far thanks to the understanding of the people at my workplace.” Seeing the light blue IBF female championship belt, she boosted her motivation, saying, “It’s large and cool. I hope I can win and turn my gratitude into a tangible form.” Yamanaka holds a record of 9-1 (3 KOs), while Ugawa remains undefeated at 6-0.
All seven matches scheduled for the day are female bouts, with four featuring OPBF (Oriental and Pacific) or WBO Asia Pacific titles on the line. Additionally, in a non-title 47kg contract 6-round bout, Madoka Wada (DANGAN)—a two-time bronze medalist at the Amateur World Championships—will face Panida Chatluang of Thailand. The 31-year-old Wada has been undefeated with five wins (4 KOs) since turning professional the year before last.
The event will be streamed live on Lemino.
