International Boxing Federation minimumweight champion Daniel Valladares of Mexico
Showed nimble movement in his public workout on Jan. 3 at KWORLD3 Boxing Gym in Osaka in preparation for his first the title against fifth-ranked Ginjiro Shigeoka of Watanabe Boxing Gym on Jan. 6 at EDION Arena Osaka.

The 28-year-old Valladares, who is making his first defense of the title he captured from Rene Mark Cuarto of the Philippines last July, landed strong punches to a drum mitt held by Koki Kameda, the promoter of the fight.

Kameda, a former triple champion, predicted, ‘’Since he has got a strong punch, the fight with Shigeoka would be a fight they will slam each other.’’

Valladares, whose nickname is Cejitas (eyebrows) for his thick eyebrows, said after the workout, ‘’I will fight in accordance with my (our) strategy as I want to knock him out quickly if an opportunity offers. I want to make him retire from boxing.’’

Valladares, who arrived in Osaka on Dec. 29, told the press he was upset when he heard back in Mexico that Shigeoka predicted he would knock him out in the fifth round.

‘’He used big words since he has not fought a strong boxer, Valladares who hails from Monterrey, northeastern Mexico, added.

Valladares, who has a 77-3 win-loss amateur result, has a record of 26 wins, including 15 KOs, against three losses and a draw. For his part, the left-handed Shigeoka 23, is undefeated in his eight professional bouts, six by KO. He has an amateur record of 56 wins against a loss (to his elder brother Yudai Shigeoka).

The fight, part of 3150FIGHIT vol.4, will be the very first world championship bout handled by Kameda