Both the undefeated Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific lightweight champion Shuichiro Yoshino of Misako Boxing Gym and the World Boxing Council’s 10th-ranked challenger Masayoshi Nakatani of Teiken Boxing Gym brimmed with confidence at a joint press conference held at a hotel in Tokyo on Oct. 30 before their fight on Nov. 1 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama Prefecture.

The 31-year-old Yoshino said, ‘’Whichever who wins the fight will be Japan’s No. 1 boxer and will, therefore, be able to fight overseas.’’

While only Yoshino’s WBO Asia-Pacific title will be at stake in the scheduled 12-rounder. Yoshino said, ‘’I will believe in myself. I want to beat my opponent in the crucial final round, in which we will probably hit each other hard.’’

For his part, the 33-year-old Nakatani showed his determination by saying, ‘’I am determined to win in the coming fight. I will think about my future only after the fight.’’ They both agreed their opponents are not easy opponents to beat.

Yoshino has a record of 15 straight wins, including 11 knockouts. Nakatani has a 20-2 win-loss tally with 14 KOs.

The fight will serve as one of the undercards for the world light flyweight title unification match between WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji of B.M.B. Boxing Gym and World Boxing Association ‘’super’’ champion Hiroto Kyoguchi of Watanabe Boxing Gym.