International Boxing Federation’s third-ranked super featherweight Kenichi Ogawa of Teiken Boxing Gym will face second-ranked Azinga Fuzile of South Africa for the vacant IBF title on Nov. 27 (Nov. 28 Japan time) at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York, the Tokyo-based gym said on Oct. 30.

According to the gym, while it had initially negotiated with the Fuzile side to try to stage the fight in Japan, the South African team showed reluctance on account of the expected restrictions on their entry into Japan due to COVID-19. Matchroom Boxing will be in charge of the fight.

While Ogawa. who has a record of 25 wins, including 18 knockouts, against a loss and a draw with one no contest, was to initially face the IBF’s top-ranked Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov of Tajikistan for the vacant crown in August in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the fight was later called off due to an injury suffered by Rakhimov.

The 25-year-old Fuzile is a southpaw with a record of 15 wins, including nine knockouts, against a loss.
The 33-year-old Ogawa said, ‘’I have been ready for the fight ever since the planned fight in August was postponed. I am glad because the fight (with Fuzile) was set. I want to thank Teiken Gym president and manager for their efforts. Since Fuzile stopped his opponent in his most recent bout (in May this year) by utilizing a counter right a southpaw boxer often utilizes (after throwing a left punch), I will have to be careful about that. But I will have to get inside to hit my punches. I will try not to enter loosely. Rather, I will hang on with all my might. I will fight him with an image of me decking him on Nov. 27.’’

Undisputed world lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez of the U.S. will defend his titles against undefeated George Kambosos Jnr of Australia in the main event of the evening.