International Boxing Federation super featherweight champion Kenichi Ogawa of Teiken Boxing Gym attended a joint press conference at Cardiff City Hall in the capital of Wales together with third-ranked challenger Joe Cordina of Britain on June 2 local time in preparation for their title fight on June 4 (5 Japan time).

The 34-year-old Ogawa then engaged himself in the final workout at the city’s UFC Gym.

The following is Ogawa’s comment sent from the Teiken gym.

‘’I think my challenger looked a little smaller than when I first met him (the day before). Maybe, he has a hard time reducing his weight. I think I am in better condition. I did not feel any intimidation from him at all in our face-to-face photo session. I was able to move better than expected in my workout. I was able to throw my punches well. After meeting him directly, I could do my training more concretely. My weight reduction effort has been going smoothly. The only thing I have to do to reduce my weight is to go to bed and sleep.

Tomorrow, after clearing my weigh-in, I hope to eat at a nice stake restaurant which I have already checked (from outside). My way of thinking is to eat what you want to eat rather than bringing in carefully prepared food from outside.’’

It will be Ogawa’s first defense of the title he captured last November by beating Azinga Fuzile of South Africa for the vacant title at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The scheduled 12-rounder will be held at the Motorpoint Arena. Ogawa has a record to 26 wins, including 18 KOs, against a loss and a draw with one no contest. For his part, Cordina, 30, is undefeated in his 14 fights, including eight KOs, after making his professional debut in April 2017.
Photos by Teiken Boxing Gym