World-ranked super featherweight Masanori Rikiishi of Lush Midori Gym in Nagoya moved to Ohashi Boxing Gym in Yokohama starting July 2, Rikiishi and Ohashi gym’s head Hideyuki Ohashi said at the Yokohama-based gym on the same day.

  The 30-year-old Rikiishi told reporters, ‘’I decided to move to Ohashi gym since it is difficult to challenge the world at my fighting weight. Joining Ohashi gym is the best way to realize my dream. I am determined to become a world champion to return the courtesy to Midori gym head Mr. (Toshiro) Matsuo and Ohashi gym head Mr. Ohashi.’’

  Rikiishi, whose younger brother is former World Boxing Council light flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki, has already cancelled the contract with Kameda Promotion Co. vis-à-vis his participation in ‘’3150FIGHT SURVIVAL series’’ promoted by Kameda Promotion.

  In this connection, Ohashi said, ‘’I will see to it that he can have world title challenges twice or third times,’’ to which Rikiishi replied by saying, ‘’That’s a blessing but I am determined to win a world title in my first challenge.’’

  The left-handed Rikiishi, currently ranked third in the division both by the WBC and International Boxing Federation and seventh by the World Boxing Organization, stopped the WBC’s sixth-ranked Michael Magnesi of Italy in the 12^th and the final round in an exciting fight for the WBC silver super featherweight title fight on March 22 in Italy. Japan, however, does not officially recognize the WBC silver title.

  According to Rikiishi, he will not make a move to Yokohama, he will train himself at Ohashi gym only when his fight has been decided. Otherwise, he will remain in Nagoya and will train himself at the Midori gym just like before.

  Ohashi said, ‘’I hope to have another fight for him this October so that he can have a world title fight either at the end of this year or next year.’’

Rikishii, a former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super featherweight champion and a former WBO Asia-Pacific super featherweight kingpin, has a record to 15 wins, including 10 knockouts, against a loss.