International Boxing Federation interim world minimumweight champion Ginjiro Shigeoka of Watanabe Boxing Gym said at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 6 he will fight cautiously earlier in the fight with champion Daniel Valladares of Mexico on Oct. 7 at Ota City General Gymnasium.

The 23-year-old Shigeoka, who won the interim title by knocking out Rene Mark Cuarto of the Philippines to win the interim title in this past April, said, ‘’Since I suffered a knockdown in the first round in my April fight, I will be careful about starting the fight while putting a pressure on him because I don’t think we will exchange blows from the first round. Rather, I will keep an eye on his head movement.’’

In their first fight in January in Osaka, the bout was declared no decision (no contest) as Valladares could not continue the fight due to an accidental head butt in the third round despite the fact that Valladares’ head appeared to have hit Shigeoka’s chin when the Mexican attempted to get inside. The referee had to declare the fight no decision (no contest) shortly after.

While the Shigeoka-Valladares rematch was scheduled in August in Osaka, the fight was postponed due to Shigeoka’s leg injuries.

Valladares, 29, told the press conference remotely, ‘’I am happy that the fight has been decided. I want to set the record straight as I had asked my manager and promoter to decide the fight with him.’’

Shigeoka said, ‘’I can win if I stick to my kind of boxing. Though I plan to fight cautiously from the opening bell, I may come out strong even in the first round or in the second round if the timing is right. I am determined to decide in a calm manner after climbing through the ropes.

The undefeated Shigeoka has nine wins, including seven KOs, with one no contest. For his part, Valladares has a 26-3-1 win-loss-draw tally with 15 KOs and one no contest.

Meanwhile, Ginjiro’s elder brother and World Boxing Council interim world minimumweight champion Yudai Shigeoka, who will face WBC minimumweight champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand at the same gymnasium on the same day, told the press, ‘’I am determined to knock him out in any round if there is a chance so that I can get rid of the word interim champion.’’

The 26-year-old Shigeoka is undefeated in his seven bouts, five by KO, while the 32-year-old Panya who is making his fifth defense of the title he won in November 2020, has a 40-1 win-loss tally with 24 KOs.

Both fights will be held as part of the 3150FIGHT vol.7 promoted by Kameda Promotion Co. headed by Koki Kameda.