Former Japanese minimumweight champion Norihito Tanaka of Misako Boxing Gym will take a crack at World Boxing Council minimumweight champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand for the latter’s title on Aug. 31 in Nakhon Ratchasima in lower northeastern Thailand, the gym said on Aug. 16.

The 37-year-old Tanaka, currently ranked 14th in the division by the WBC, will be fighting for the firs time in about a year and nine months.

After dropping a decision loss to undefeated World Boxing Association super world minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong, alias Knockout CP Freshmart, for his first world title challenge in March 2020, Tanaka returned to the ring in November that year by decisioning Yuni Takada of Lions Boxing Gym in an eight-round fight. Tanaka, however, has not fought since then.

Speaking before a group of reporters online, Tanaka said, ‘’I will try to knock him out by devoting my life to the fight. I’ve always wanted to have a world title in Thailand again.’’

If Tanaka wins, he will become the oldest Japanese to win a world title, surpassing the existing record of 35 years and nine months held by former three-time world champion Hozumi Hasegawa of Shinsei Boxing Gym in September 2016.

Tanaka has a record of 20 wins, including 10 knockouts, against eight losses. The 31-year-old Panya, dubbed Petchmanee CP Freshmart, has a 38-1 win-loss tally with 23 KOs. He is making his third defense of the title he won by decisioning compatriot Chayaphon Moonsri in November 2020.
Photo by Misako Boxing Gym