Hard-hitting World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific welterweight champion Jin Sasaki of Hachioji Nakaya Boxing Gym has signed a support agreement with Lemino Boxing, the arm of a Japanese video on demand over-the-top streaming service by NTT Docomo, in his various boxing activities, the gym said on June 14.

According to the agreement, which went into effect in April, the 21-year-old Sasaki can not only get financial aid for his overseas training camps but can take part in fights promoted by Ohashi Boxing Gym, whose head Hideyuki Ohashi was at present at the day’s press conference held at the Hachioji Nakaya gym on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Ohashi gym has already been supported by Lemino and Ohashi said he is expecting a lot from Sasaki and the contract.

He said, ‘’Welterweight is more competitive in the world compared with lighter weight divisions, and I hope he will aim at a world title in that weight division.’’ The upper limit of welterweight is 66.68 kg (147 lbs.).  No Japanese has ever won a world welterweight title.

Sasaki, who is the first Lemino-supported boxer outside the boxers not belonging to Yokohama-based Ohashi gym, said, ‘’I will do my best so that I can become Japan’s first world welterweight champion.’’

Hachioji Nakaya Boxing Gym head Issei Nakaya said Sasaki is scheduled to go to watch the undisputed world welterweight title fight between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford, both of the United States, in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 29 if he clears his title defense against Hiroto Hoshi of Kadoebi Boxing Gym on July 8.

Sasaki shot to fame by demolishing then overwhelming favorite Keita Obara of Misako Boxing Gym in the third round and retained his title for the first time on Apr. 8 in Tokyo.

Sasaki, who did a training camp for two weeks in Las Vegas with the aid of Lemino from late April to May, said, ‘’I learned a lot particularly about the importance of defense since boxers over there have a lot of sparring sessions.’’

Sasaki is currently ranked eighth in the welterweight division both by the WBO and International Boxing Federation, 11^th by the World Boxing Association and 14^th by the World Boxing Council. He has 15 wins, including 14 KOs, against a loss and a draw.