International Boxing Federation interim world minimumweight champion Ginjiro Shigeoka of Watanabe Boxing Gym said on Sept. 29 he has been training smoothly in preparation for his title unification bout with champion Daniel Valladares of Mexico on Oct. 7 at Ota City General Gymnasium.

  After having six rounds of sparring with two of the three Philippine boxers invited, including second-ranked World Boxing Association minimumweight John Zulueta, the 23-year-old Shigeoka wound up the sparring sessions for the upcoming fight, which ran up to a total of 96 rounds, Shigeoka thanked them by handing over his souvenirs to them.

  Shigeoka said, ‘’I was made to realize how big the world is. I am happy that I was able to have such a good experience before the world title fight.’’

  Concerning Valladares, Shigeoka said, ‘’He would make a move of some kind. But I will respond to him calmly and plan to corner him in my own boxing.’’

  In this connection, the gym’s head Hitoshi Watanabe said, ‘’I hope he will knock him out by the fifth round.’’

  In their first fight in January in Osaka, the bout was declared no decision (no contest) as Valladares could (did) 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 declared the fight no decision (no contest). Though the Shigeoka-Valladares rematch was scheduled in August in Osaka, the fight was postponed due to Shigeoka’s leg injuries.

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.

  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, did shadowboxing and heavy bag hitting at the gym on Sept. 28.

  He said, ‘’I am in good condition and am superior to him in technique, speed, power, etc.’’

  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.