Yuta Sakai | Boxing News（ボクシングニュース）

Yuta Sakai Stops Froilan Saludar in Eighth; Raito and Tomu Kataoka Also Victorious

ボクシングニュース編集部 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:08:19 +0000

On 10 June, third-ranked Japanese bantamweight Yuta Sakai (Ohashi) secured a seventh-round TKO victory over former OPBF champion Froilan Saludar (Philippines) in a 54kg catchweight contest. The 8-round bout served as the co-feature of the “Lemino BOXING PHOENIX BATTLE 157” card held at Korakuen Hall. With the victory, the undefeated Sakai extended his professional record to eight consecutive wins, with seven coming by way of stoppage. The official time of the stoppage was 47 seconds into round seven.

サルダールをストップした坂井。写真は２回のダウンシーン

In the opening round, Sakai utilised subtle feints and diligent distance control to evade Saludar’s right hands, while occasionally penetrating the veteran’s guard with sharp, authoritative straight lefts. Sakai maintained his tactical dominance in the second stanza, consistently making Saludar miss and targeting the midsection and head with long-range left hands. During this round, the Japanese contender registered two knockdowns, courtesy of a left hook and a well-placed left to the body. Although Saludar attempted to return a right hand in the exchange that led to the second knockdown, it was the definitive precision of Sakai’s preceding blow that inflicted the critical damage.

Sakai continued to dictate the tempo of the contest, utilizing lateral movement and a persistent right jab to effectively neutralize Saludar’s dangerous right hand. When Saludar attempted to force the issue with aggressive right-hand leads, Sakai consistently countered with precise left hands to the body. Late in the round, Sakai created a significant opening with a left hand and unleashed a sustained offensive combination. Although the assault was interrupted by the bell, it visibly diminished Saludar’s resolve. In the seventh round, Sakai forced his opponent toward the corner with a straight left before unleashing a clinical combination of hooks with both hands, prompting referee Tanaka to step in and halt the contest.

Reflecting on his disciplined performance, Sakai stated, “Following a sub-par showing in my previous bout, I was determined to deliver a convincing performance tonight. My tactical approach was flawed last time, but today I executed exactly what we had worked on diligently in training.” With this defeat, Saludar’s professional record drops to 37-10-1 (26 KOs).

パニアモーガンを倒した豪腕石井

Welterweight 8 Rounds

Ryuko Ishii (Tokashiki) [TKO 1 Round 1 Min 42 Sec] Marlon Paniamogan (Philippines)

The physically imposing Ishii, exhibiting the powerful build of a natural puncher, immediately applied pressure from a southpaw stance from the opening bell. After connecting with a clipping right hook, he initiated a fierce offensive assault, landing a succession of right hooks and straight lefts to score the initial knockdown. Paniamogan showed resilience in beating the count, but subsequently engaged in a firefight with Ishii. The Japanese fighter timed another right hook perfectly during the exchange to score a second knockdown, prompting an immediate stoppage.

With the victory, Ishii improves his record to 7-1-1 (7 KOs), maintaining a 100% knockout ratio in his wins. Paniamogan drops to 13-6-1 (6 KOs).

片岡雷斗はデビュー２連続KO

Light-Flyweight 8 Rounds

Raito Kataoka (Ohashi) [KO 1 Round 2 Min 13 Sec] Suriya Phuttaluksa (Thailand)

Raito Kataoka’s second professional appearance concluded swiftly at Korakuen Hall. From the opening bell, Kataoka utilised his fluid footwork to apply pressure on Suriya Phuttaluksa from various angles. Before the Japanese prospect had even intensified his offensive output, he targeted Suriya along the ropes, landing a precise left hook to the body that sent the Thai fighter to the canvas in visible agony. Suriya failed to beat the count, ending the contest.

Following his second consecutive knockout victory since turning professional, Kataoka stated, “Becoming a world champion is a given for me; I want to become a world champion who inspires people and gives them dreams and hope.” Suriya dropped to 8-10 (4 KOs).

判定勝ちの川渕㊧

Super-Welterweight 8 Rounds

Kazuto Kawabuchi (ABC) [UD 8 (80-71, 80-71, 79-72)] Phoomritdet Chonlathondamrongkun (Thailand)

上田を倒した坂田

Minimumweight 8 Rounds
Issa Sakata (S&K) [TKO 6 Round 2 Min 00 Sec] Ruka Ueda (Ishida)

The southpaw Sakata demonstrated vastly superior distance control throughout the contest. In the third round, he staggered Ueda with a sharp right hook following a straight left. Although Ueda survived the crisis and subsequently attempted to force an inside battle with aggressive right-hand attacks, Sakata landed another clean right hook in the sixth round—a punch the Ueda camp had explicitly prepared for. The blow sent Ueda heavily to the canvas, prompting an immediate stoppage.

Sakata, who once again showcased the efficiency of his trademark right hook to the Korakuen Hall crowd, improved his record to 5-1-1 (3 KOs). Currently ranked fourth in the Japanese national ratings, the victory positions him closer to a potential title opportunity. Ueda dropped to 6-4-1 (1 KO).

54kg Catchweight 6 Rounds

Tomu Kataoka (Ohashi) [TKO 3 Round 2 Min 31 Sec] Attachai Prasertri (Thailand)

The professional debut of Tomu Kataoka, the younger brother of Raito Kataoka and one of the highly touted prospects out of the Ohashi Gym, concluded inside the distance. Facing Attachai, who entered the bout with a record of 8-6 (5 KOs), the southpaw utilized his reach to land long-range punches from the outside. Kataoka consistently found his target without overcommitting while smoothly evading his opponent’s counters, eventually forcing referee Martin to intervene during a multi-punch combination in the third round.

“I will work hard to ensure a definitive knockout victory in my next fight,” Kataoka stated in his post-fight interview.

Attendance: 1,580

Four “Super Rookies,” Including Yuga Fujiki, Set to Appear on Same Card for June 10 Lemino BOXING

ボクシングニュース編集部 — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:54:27 +0000

Four super rookies from the Ohashi Gym, home to Naoya Inoue, will appear on the same card. A press conference for “Lemino BOXING PHOENIX BATTLE 157,” to be held at Korakuen Hall on June 10, was conducted on the 6th at a facility within Tokyo Dome City.

一堂に会した大橋ジムのスーパールーキーたち――左から片岡雷斗、藤木、大橋会長、坂井、片岡叶夢

The four fighters sat side-by-side, led by high school 9-crown titleholder Yuga Fujiki (18), who makes his pro debut in the super featherweight 6-round main event. He is joined by Yuta Sakai (20), who already boasts a perfect 7-0 (6 KOs) pro record; Raito Kataoka (19), who secured a dominant victory in his pro debut this March; and his younger brother, Tomu Kataoka (18), who will be entering his first professional bout. It was a spectacular sight to see these rookies, who may very well carry the future of the boxing world, lined up together.

Among them, Fujiki’s selection for the main event despite having zero professional bouts is a natural choice given his amateur credentials—winning the World Youth Championships and remaining undefeated through 49 matches. However, Chairman Ohashi emphasized that “it’s just a matter of the bout order,” and that in essence, every one of them is a main eventer.

Fujiki is scheduled for a public pro test during the “154th Phoenix Battle” at Korakuen Hall on April 13. His opponent for the June 10 match will be announced following the test. “I haven’t even passed the pro test yet, but I promise to fight by sticking to my style so that I can show the greatest version of myself on June 10,” Fujiki vowed.

Sakai, the most experienced of the four in the pro ranks, appealed to the crowd saying, “I will prepare the best version of myself for June 10 and do my best to put on a great fight. I’ll work hard to show my peak performance, whether it’s a complete shutout without letting the opponent touch me once, or a KO.”

The elder Kataoka brother, Raito, stated: “I gained a lot of experience in my debut. For my second fight, I will show a stronger version of myself. I’ll fight my own way while looking for an opening to go for the finish at any time.” His younger brother, Kanamu, added: “First, I’ll focus on executing my own boxing firmly, and if I see an opening, I’ll go for the knockout.”

Chairman Ohashi offered a specific challenge to the four hopes: “Knockouts aren’t everything in boxing,” he prefaced, “but I want them to show a spirit that says they are looking to finish the fight.”

Yuta Sakai Secures First Pro Decision Win; Dominates Formidable Kaga by Large Margin

ボクシングニュース編集部 — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:10:51 +0000

In the semifinal of “Lemino BOXING Phoenix Battle 152” at Korakuen Hall on the 24th, “super prospect” Yuta Sakai (Ohashi) secured a dominant 3-0 unanimous decision victory over Philippines bantamweight No. 11 Wesley Caga (PHI), with scores of 79–73, 79–73, and 80–72. While this marked the first time since turning professional that Sakai did not win by knockout, he successfully extended his winning streak to seven.

貴重な８ラウンズを経験した坂井㊧

Sakai appeared dissatisfied despite the wide-margin decision victory. He was likely reflecting deeply on his first win by decision and his inability to score a knockdown.

Starting the bout by landing left straights behind a long flicker jab, Sakai gave the impression that an early finish was imminent. However, as Sakai pressed the offense, Caga landed a counter left hook that caused Sakai’s knees to buckle. While it was not enough damage to cause a knockdown, it was a blow that seemed to trigger a sense of impatience in Sakai.

In the early rounds, Sakai appeared fixated on linear movement in his eagerness to land a heavy left. Caga, having timed the left, managed to evade it and fire back with his own right. Credit must be given to Caga, who refused to be intimidated by Sakai’s power and attacked with conviction.

As the rounds progressed, Sakai regained his composure, building his offense off the right jab, increasing his feints, and utilizing lateral movement with subtle footwork to land right hooks and left body uppers. However, Caga remained resilient and responsive, demonstrating professional technique and toughness by meeting Sakai’s counters with counters of his own.

Ultimately, Sakai’s skill allowed him to outwork his opponent for the points. Going the full distance against the toughest and most tenacious opponent of his professional career likely came at the perfect time for Sakai’s future development. Sakai (20) moves to 7-0 (6 KOs), while Caga (25) falls to 7-3 (3 KOs).