Former three-division world champion Kosei Tanaka of Soul Box Hatanaka Boxing Gym will face World Boxing Organization’s fifth-ranked super flyweight Yanga Sigqibo of South Africa on Dec. 11 in a nontitle fight in Nagoya, gym officials said on Oct. 14.
According to the officials, the scheduled 10-rounder will take place at Takeda Teva Ocean Arena in the central Japanese city. It will be the 27-year-old Tanaka’s first fight since capturing the WBO’s Asia-Pacific super flyweight title in Tokyo in June this year by stopping the previously undefeated champion Masayoshi Hashizume of Kadoebi Boxing Gym. Tanaka, however, relinquished the title later.
The 28-year-old Sigqibo has a record of 17 wins, including five knockouts, against a loss and a draw, and has so far captured various local titles like WBO Inter-Continental super flyweight crown.
Tanaka, currently the WBO’s top-ranked super flyweight, said, ‘’My opponent looks taller in accordance with his fight video.’’ While his manager Kiyoshi Htanaka said he is a typical orthodox-style boxer, Tanaka said, ‘’It might be a hard-fought battle. But I promise I will knock him out without fail like I did in my preceding fight.’’
Tanaka has just returned from his five-week training in the United States and has said he has learned a lot by sparring with various boxers, including Roman ‘’Chocolatito’’ Gonzalez of Nicaragua.
‘’I think I was able to broaden my expertise in boxing. After knocking out my next fight, I hope I can win my fourth-division world title and fight in the U.S. in the future,’’ added Tanaka, who has a record to 17 wins, including 10 KOs, against a loss.
Tanaka, who had captured WBO minimumweight, light flyweight and flyweight crowns, lost to WBO super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Shisei Boxing Gym for the latter’s title on Dec. 31 2020.
