Two Mexican boxers arrived in Japan on June 17 to serve once again as sparring partners for former undisputed world bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym for Inoue’s s challenge to World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton of the United States for his titles on July 25 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

  According to the gym, the 24-year-old Bryan Acosta and the 21-year-old Cesar Vaca Espinoza had served as Inoue’s sparring partners in March before the initially planned fight on May 7 in Yokohama was postponed due to Inoue’s fist injuries in March.

  Since Inoue, 30, has been sparring with the 23-year-old Japhethlee Llamido of the U.S. since last week, the addition of the new sparring partners is expected to further pick up Inoue’s training pace.

  Acosta has a record of 18 straight wins, including seven knockouts, and is currently ranked 23^rd in the WBC world featherweight division while Espinoza, who is a nephew of former WBC welterweight champion Jorge Vaca, has 16 consecutive wins, 10 by KO, with a draw. Llamido has 11 straight wins, including four KOs.

  Inoue has 24 straight wins, including 21 KOs. For his part, the 28-year-old Fulton is also undefeated in his 21 bouts, including eight KOs.

Photo by Ohashi Boxing Gym