A press conference was held in Tokyo on 13 July to announce “Lemino BOXING PHOENIX BATTLE 160.” Scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 8 September at Korakuen Hall, the event will feature a double championship bill consisting of Japanese national and OPBF title contests, alongside the semifinals of the super-featherweight tournament.
決勝に勝ち上がるのは？ 左から木村、松本、木谷、渡邊
The year-long super-featherweight prize tournament has reached its semifinal stage, with the final four contenders finalized: Japanese number 1-ranked Rentaro Kimura (Suruga Danji), number 2-ranked Riku Kitani (KG Yamato), number 3-ranked former WBO Asia Pacific champion Kai Watanabe (Lions), and number 7-ranked former Japanese featherweight champion Keisuke Matsumoto (Ohashi).
The semifinal matchups will feature Kimura against Watanabe as the fourth bout of the evening, and Matsumoto against Kitani as the third bout. All four fighters attended the press conference held today.
６月末、準々決勝を勝ち上がった木村のリング上に渡邊が上がってフェイスオフ
Kimura and Watanabe have previously shared rounds as sparring partners, with Kimura admitting, “I would have preferred to avoid this matchup if possible.” However, he shifted firmly into competitive focus, adding, “Now that it is finalized, it is going to be an intense battle from both sides.” Watanabe similarly vowed to secure a victory, stating, “From this point onward, both the semifinals and the final will feature only formidable opponents. My immediate focus is to defeat Rentaro Kimura.” Given the highly competitive nature of both fighters, the encounter promises to be a thrilling contest.
松本か、木谷か
Another feature encounter pits the returning Keisuke Matsumoto against Riku Kitani, who recently campaigned in Mexico. “My impression is that only the strong fighters have progressed this far,” Matsumoto remarked, fixing his gaze on Kitani. “I intend to sharpen my focus and deliver a thorough performance.” Kitani, facing the tournament favourite, countered with an assertive declaration: “I am planning to overturn the general expectations and secure a knockout victory.” This clash likewise promises to be a highly competitive affair.
The eventual matchup for the final remains to be determined.
The opening bout of the card will see Ken Onuma (Kadoebi Jewel), who captured the newly established JPBA (Japan Pro Boxing Association) four-round Japanese heavyweight title, face Naoyuki Matsuda (Aritomi). In the second contest, former elite amateur standout Kazuma Aratake (Ohashi) continues his comeback campaign in an eight-round bout against Kurt John Pabular (Philippines). The event will be broadcast live via Lemino.
