World Boxing Organization’s second-ranked light flyweight Shokichi Iwata of Teiken Boxing Gym went three rounds of sparring in Tokyo on Oct. 4 with Ginjiro Shigeoka of Watanabe Boxing Gym, a world-ranked minimumweight, in preparation for Iwata’s challenge to WBO light flyweight champion Jonathan Gonzalez of Puerto Rico for the latter’s title on Nov. 1 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama Prefecture.

The undefeated Iwata, 26, landed hard rights and uppercuts while the 22-year-old Shigeoka, also undefeated in his professional bouts, threw straight lefts and right hooks from his southpaw style, which was an earnest sparring session, at the Teiken gym.

After the sparring, Shigeoka said, ‘’He (Iwata) was strong in physical strength despite he is only a division above me and has a strong punching power like (World Boxing Association light flyweight ‘’super’’ champion) Mr. (Hiroto) Kyoguchi (Shigeoka’s stablemate).’’ Shigeoka thereby welcomes the fact that he can serve as Iwata’s sparring partner until his fight with Gonzalez.

But unlike Shigeoka, who always comes out strong, Gonzalez is a kind of southpaw who relies on counter punches while moving side to side. Iwata said, ‘‘It is, therefore, important to balance my offense and defense.’’

‘’I want to show the kind of a soul-stirring fight this time around. I want my fans to see my psychological strength which can eclipse techniques in the upcoming fight.’’
Iwata has nine straight wins, including six KOs, while Gonzalez has a 26-3-1 win-loss-draw tally with 14 KOs.

The fight will serve as the chief supporting card of the title unification fight between World Boxing Council light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji of B.M.B. Boxing Gym and Kyoguchi.