Earlier today Koki Kameda announced several bouts for the show he, along with Eddie Hearn, is promoting in Nagoya on March 31st show.
The show, which will see the return of the "Prizefighter" branding Matchroom used in the past, was known for not just featuring the return of the tournament, but also as Matchrooms first Japanese show.
It's long been known that we'd be getting the rematch between Tomoki Kameda (40-4, 22) and Lerato Dlamini (20-2, 11), who fought last October when Dlamini won a close split decision. This was actually the first bout announced for the card.
More recently we saw the announcement of the Prizefighter bouts which will include Japanese Middleweight champion Riku Kunimoto (10-1, 4) defending his title against mandatory challenger Eiki Kani (8-3-3, 4) in a Champion Carnial bout. The other Prizefighter bouts will see Britain's Mark Dickinson (6-0, 2) taking on 2016 Olympian Anauel Ngamissengue (13-0, 8), from France; Ireland’s Aaron McKenna (18-0, 9) battle American-Puerto Rican Jeovanny Estela (14-0, 5), and England's Kieron Conway (20-3-1, 5) facing Chinese slugger Ainiwaer Yilixiati (19-1, 14 KOs). Unlike previous Prizefighter tournaments, which have been one night tournaments, this will be a 3 night tournament, with fighters fighting for a $1,000,000 tournament prize, and bonuses being awarded for knockouts.
Following the Prizefighter announcements we then saw two world title bouts being added to the show, as Koki Kameda began to really fill out his side of the show. One of those bouts with see IBF Minimumweight champion Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0-0-1, 8) defending his belt for the first time, as he takes on Filipino challenger ArAr Andales (14-2-3, 6). The other will see Ginjiro's older brother, and follow world champion, Yudai Shigeoka (8-0, 5) as he takes on former WBO champion Melvin Jerusalem (21-3, 12). Shigeoka will look to out-do Oscar Collazo's 7th round win over the Filipino, and get some revenge for Watanabe Gym stablemate Masataka Taniguchi, who was stopped in 2 rounds by Jerusaem in January 2023, and make his first defense of the WBC title.
Three other bouts now confirmed for the card feature rising hopefuls. Arguably the most notable of those is will see unbeaten Japanese Heavyweight hopeful Mitsuro Brandon Tajima (10-0, 8) take on Romanian veteran Alexandru Jur (20-5, 8), in what is a huge step up in class for Tajima. Interesting not only is this a step up for the fast handed Japanese hopeful, but also a major test to see if he can fight at a lower weight. The bout, contracted at 101.6KG, or 224lbs, will see Tajima needing to make the lowest weight of his professional career, and potentially begin a campaign as a Bridgerweight. Although no world beater Jur is a former European Cruiserweight title challenger, is highly experienced, having shared the ring with a host of notable Crusierweights during his long career.
Ei Go (1-0, 1) will look to build on his debut win when he takes on the dangerous Koshin Takeshima (7-3-1, 4), in an 8 round Lightweight bout, in what is a stiff test for Go's second professional bout following a successful amateur career. Whilst 19 year old Ryusei Morikawa (0-0) will make his professional debut in a 6 round Bantamweight bout against Pakphum Tawinram (9-6-1, 6).
In fairness to Kameda and Hearn, this really does look a brilliant show, with top level bouts, highly regarded prospects, and the quarter finals of an intriguing international tournament. Better yet, this is set to be the first Japanese card to be shown on DAZN, with DAZN set to air it in numerous territories around the world, and Abema airing the show in Japan.
