Kyoguchi to face Paras in IBF defense

[iamasadlittleboy]

Ever since April 3rd, when Watanabe Gym announced that WBA/IBF/Ring Magazine Light Flyweight Ryoichi Taguchi (27-2-2, 12) [田口良一] would be defending his titles against Hekkie Budler (31-3, 10), we had wondered who IBF Minimumweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (9-0, 7) [京口 紘人] would be facing in the chief support bout on May 20th.

 

Today a press conference at the Watanabe Gym saw Kyoguchi having his opponent named as unbeaten Filipino teenager Vince Paras (13-0, 11).

 

The champion will be making his second defense, following his victory over Carlos Buitrago at the end of 2017, and will be looking to make a statement here against an unbeaten and heavy handed challenger. It's perhaps not the big name opponent he'd have wanted, but its better than sitting and waiting for a bout and he actually seemed quite encouraged by the fact he'd be up against an unbeaten fighters.

 

The challenger isn't very well known outside of the Phillipines but the youngster has umpressed at domestic level since his July 2015 debut. His most notable win, sadly, is over Jimboy Haya but he has been destroying most foes he's gone up against. Interestingly he has fought much of his career at Light Flyweight and could well be a big fighter at 105lbs, but is unlikely to lose the extra few pounds.

 

Coming in to the bout the challenger Paras is rabked #7 by the WBA, #8 by the WBO and #15 by the IBF, all at Light Flyweight.

 

The announcement today confirms that the card will feature two Japan Vs Philippines bouts, with the other being a WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight bout between Masataka Taniguchi (10-2, 7) [谷口 将隆] battle against young Filipino puncher Pedro Taduran (12-1, 9),in what could be the bout of the show.

 

Source -

[h=2]Kyoguchi to face unbeaten challenger Paras![/h]