初防衛戦に備える岩田

This is the second time Iwata has faced his “first title defense.” During his previous reign as WBO champion, he lost to René Santiago (Puerto Rico) and lost his prized title. Having made a comeback as WBC champion with a decisive victory over Knockout CP Freshmart (Thailand), he is determined to succeed at all costs this time.
“Right after the fight against Knockout, I started preparing for my first title defense. I believe I’ll only be a true champion once I clear this hurdle. I’m really fired up,” said Iwata.
During the open practice, he sparred for two rounds with his sparring partner, Gustavo Perez (Mexico), and did two rounds of mitt work with trainer Senki Tanaka. Iwata switched to a footwork-based style after the Santiago fight, and this approach yielded good results in the Knockout bout as well. On this day, against the southpaw Pérez, he moved forward, backward, left, and right while throwing sharp left jabs both high and low.
Challenger Badillo is a smooth southpaw—not what you’d call a typical Mexican fighter. Iwata stated firmly, “We’re training so that we can adapt whether Badillo uses his feet or comes forward.” He added that the key to defeating Badillo will, as always, be his “footwork.”

7.20両国に出場する左から岩田、増田、比嘉、寺地の各選手

The WBC Light Flyweight title bout marks the first title defense for new champion Shokichi Iwata (Teiken). Iwata will face mandatory challenger Eric Badillo from Mexico.
In March, Iwata defeated Thailand’s Knockout CP Freshmart by 8th-round TKO, securing his second title in this weight class following the WBO championship. He suffered almost no damage from the fight and returned to the gym just one week later. In late June, he held a running training camp in Narita, Chiba, and is currently engaged in sparring sessions to prepare for his bout against Badillo.
Badillo is a southpaw with a perfect 19-0 record, including 8 KOs. He throws a high volume of punches and, in his most recent bout, scored a convincing decision victory over former WBO champion Elwin Soto (Mexico).

グリーン＆ゴールドのベルトキープに意気込むチャンピオン岩田

“I resumed training right away because I was so focused on my next fight,” Iwata said, revealing his strong determination to successfully defend the title he was unable to secure in the WBO. “Many people probably think I’m in trouble facing Budillo, but this is exactly the kind of fight I’ve been hoping for. I want to prove my strength and win no matter what,” the champion declared emphatically.
Advance tickets for “U-NEXT BOXING 6” went on sale today at 6:00 p.m. via Lawson Ticket. Ticket prices are 55,000 yen, 33,000 yen, 44,000 yen (two seats in the same section), 22,000 yen, and 11,000 yen.

最終日の朝の走り込みを終えた左から坪井、松本、岩田、那須川、増田の各選手（帝拳ジム提供写真）

The training camp, which commenced on 29 May, saw Tenshin Nasukawa, Shokichi Iwata, Ryusei Matsumoto, Riku Masuda, and Tomoya Tsuboi engage in rigorous physical conditioning sessions twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, at a golf course.

Throughout the duration of the camp, the fighters focused strictly on intensive running drills without wearing gloves. All participants appeared confident in having successfully built a solid foundation ahead of their respective upcoming bouts. During the camp, Teiken Gym’s official website posted daily updates featuring humorous commentary from each boxer, which was well received by followers.

成田キャンプに意気込んで出発した松本、那須川、岩田、坪井（写真左から）＝帝拳ジム提供写真＝

The participants include WBC world light-flyweight champion Shokichi Iwata, WBA world minimumweight champion Ryusei Matsumoto, WBC bantamweight No. 1 contender Tenshin Nasukawa, and WBC & WBO super-flyweight No. 1 contender Tomoya Tsuboi.

Through the gym, each fighter released statements regarding their outlook: “I will approach this with strong vitality,” said Nasukawa. Iwata commented, “I want to thoroughly push my cardio and legs to return both mentally and physically stronger.” Matsumoto remarked, “Building the foundation ahead of a hot summer,” while Tsuboi stated, “I will focus intensively on strengthening my lower body and stamina, which are lacking ahead of my next bout.”

Under the guidance of strength and conditioning coach Masahiko Nakamura, the four boxers are focusing their training on lower-body development.

強敵メンドサをKOしたタノンサック

Thanongsak, who captured the vacant title in June last year, finished the highly-touted Mexican prospect—widely regarded in his home country as a future world champion—with a brilliant early onslaught.

In the opening round, Thanongsak applied pressure with straight right hands to the body, while the tall southpaw Mendoza countered with left body uppercuts. In the second, Thanongsak initiated an exchange with short rights, but Mendoza landed a sharp right hook that momentarily stunned the champion. Unfazed, Thanongsak immediately responded with a right followed by a left hook to floor the challenger.

Although Mendoza managed to regain his feet, Thanongsak relentlessly pursued the finish. Trapping his opponent against the ropes, he drove home a powerful right hand that sent Mendoza twisting to the canvas. Mendoza struggled to his feet once more, but as he remained heavily staggered, the referee proceeded to complete the ten-count.

“I had been training for four-minute rounds in anticipation of a long fight, so I am pleased to have finished it early. I want a unification bout next,” said a smiling Thanongsak. He expressed his desire to face rival champions Rene Santiago (Puerto Rico, WBO/WBA) and Shokichi Iwata (Teiken, WBC). Thanongsak (25) improves to 40-1 (35 KOs), while Mendoza (26) falls to 27-1 (23 KOs).

岩田－ノックアウト戦

The JBC, which reviewed the video footage of this match, confirmed that the laceration above Knockout’s left eye sustained in the fourth round was not caused by an accidental headbutt as initially ruled, but by a valid punch (a right hook) from Iwata. Due to the worsening of this wound, Knockout became unable to continue the fight in the eighth round.

In such cases, if the cause is a legal blow, it results in an immediate TKO victory for Iwata rather than a technical decision based on the scorecards. As the local commission overseeing the bout, the JBC determined that correcting the result to reflect the facts was appropriate and, after consultation with the WBC, officially recorded the result as a TKO. Consequently, Iwata’s record now stands at 16-2 (13 KOs).

In its press release, the JBC also stated, “Moving forward, we will promote the active use and standardization of instant replay within Japan.”

Shokichi Iwata Secures Long-Awaited World Title with Eighth-Round Technical Decision Over Knockout CP Freshmart

In the second of three world title bouts at "U-NEXT BOXING 5," held at the Yokohama BUNTAI in Kanagawa on the 15th, form...

boxingnews.jp

2026.03.16

昨夜の試合を報じるスポーツ紙を眺める、左から松本、増田、岩田

Masuda, who earned a WBA bantamweight title shot following his eighth-round TKO victory over former champion Nonito Donaire (Philippines) in the main event, reflected calmly on the contest: “It was an intense bout from the very first round. It was a wonderful experience.” He added that he had the opportunity to speak with Donaire after the fight, receiving words of encouragement to “keep winning,” a gesture that deepened his resolve.

Now positioned as a mandatory challenger, Masuda finds himself in a division where the landscape remains fluid due to the injury status of regular champion Seiya Tsutsumi (Kadoebi-Hoseki) and the shifting status of Antonio Vargas (USA). Regarding his next move, Masuda stated, “I will stay prepared to fight anyone, at any time.”

Iwata, who captured the WBC light flyweight title by defeating Knockout CP Freshmart (Thailand), noted, “I was able to execute exactly what I had been working on in training.” His objective had been to return to the high-mobility, “punching-while-moving” style that defined his earlier career, and he expressed satisfaction in successfully implementing that strategy. Regarding the cut above Knockout’s left eye that led to the technical decision, Iwata insisted, “I have reviewed the footage, and there was no head clash,” suggesting the injury was caused by punches, which would technically imply a TKO victory.

Looking ahead, Iwata aims for unification bouts with other titleholders. With upcoming world championship bouts scheduled in Japan—specifically Santiago vs. Taniguchi on April 3 and Tanonsak vs. Mendoza on April 13—the division’s landscape remains a point of keen interest.

Matsumoto, who successfully defended his WBA minimumweight title with a shutout decision in his direct rematch against Yuni Takada (Lions), viewed the experience of his first full 12-round fight as a positive step in his development. He praised his rival’s resilience, stating, “I felt the strength of Takada’s spirit.”

Although the rematch concluded with a perfect score on the cards, trainer Sendai Tanaka noted room for improvement, remarking, “He could have stepped in and landed more effectively.” Matsumoto acknowledged this feedback, pledging to continue his progression as he looks to the future.

ノックアウトを圧倒しWBCチャンピオンとなった岩田㊧

Iwata held the advantage in speed, physicality, and punching power throughout the contest.

Iwata opened with a disciplined, rhythmic approach, utilizing constant movement to evade Knockout’s counter-punching attempts while landing effective returns of his own. As the Thai champion increased the pressure, attempting to land deep one-twos, he consistently struggled to penetrate Iwata’s defensive pocket.

Building on his hit-and-run tactics, Iwata began to find success with combinations, notably firing right straights followed by left hooks to the body. In the fourth round, a clash of heads resulted in a cut above Knockout’s left eye. From there, Iwata increasingly pivoted to his opponent’s blind side, landing accurate right straights, left body shots, and sustained combinations. By the sixth round, Iwata clearly intensified his attack, forcing Knockout against the ropes and unloading heavy volleys. Although Knockout desperately sought a fight-changing counter, he remained a step behind Iwata in both power and timing.

Following repeated medical inspections of the cut, the referee waved off the contest after a doctor’s check at 1:33 of the eighth round. While Iwata displayed a look of disappointment at the premature conclusion, the performance was a total victory, effectively neutralizing a man who had previously defended his WBA minimumweight title 16 times.

Iwata (30) improves to 16-2 (12 KOs). Knockout (35), who failed in his first defense of the WBC title, falls to 29-2 (11 KOs).

ノックアウトに挑む岩田　photo/Naoki Fukuda

For Shokichi Iwata, the upcoming March 15 bout marks his first world title opportunity in exactly one year, since losing his WBO title to Rene Santiago (Puerto Rico). Now working under a new partnership with trainer Sendai Tanaka since his comeback last November, Iwata is focused on dethroning the WBC Light Flyweight / Junior Flyweight champion, Knockout CP Freshmart.

“I want to show what I have been working on since last November in the ring,” Iwata stated. The focus of his preparation has been a mobile style centered on hitting while moving—an approach that Iwata notes is closer to the boxing style he employed during his junior high and high school days. While he has previously tended to rely on his natural punching power, this bout may showcase a different dimension to his game. Trainer Tanaka emphasized the strategy, saying, “He needs to fight calmly and use his head.” Even during the light menu of shadowboxing and mitt work, the intent to implement this tactical shift was evident.

田中トレーナーのミットに左ストレートを打ち込む松本㊨

Teiken Gym’s Ryusei Matsumoto is set for an immediate rematch against Yuga Takada (Lions) on March 15. Their previous encounter in September for the vacant title saw Matsumoto leading before an accidental clash of heads forced a premature injury stoppage.

“This time, I’m looking for a definitive conclusion,” Matsumoto stated, clarifying that his goal is to “outclass him in every department and win overwhelmingly—not giving up a single point even if it goes to the cards.”

Matsumoto has maintained a high level of focus, having engaged in sparring sessions even before the rematch was officially finalized. During mitt work with trainer Sendai Tanaka, the champion demonstrated his excellent condition, firing sharp, crisp punches from a balanced stance. Toshiya Watanabe, the trainer for challenger Takada who was present to observe the session, noted that the confidence gained from capturing the world title appears to have further elevated Matsumoto’s performance.