Taku Kuwahara takes part in media work out ahead of WBA world title fight
On May 6th we’ll be getting a stacked card at Korakuen Hall with 4 world title fights. One of the bouts that has been overlooked by many is the all-Japanese bout for the WBA Flyweight title, as defending champion champion Seigo Yuri Akui (19-2-1, 11) [阿久井政悟] makes his first defense and takes on Taku Kuwahara (13-1, 8) [桑原拓], in a second clash between the men who faced off in 2021.
Today, as part of the build up for the show, Kuwahara took part in a media workout at the Ohashi Gym.
Speaking about his development since their first bout Kuwahara stated that "I have improved in all aspects. I have been training hard to get rid of the bad image (of losing last time). Although it will be difficult to win against such an opponent, I will overcome my dream and become a world champion. In terms of biology, the strongest animal is a tiger, so on that day I will become a tiger," He also added that he wanted to thank Hideyuki Ohashi for allowing him to fight at the Tokyo Dome, something he never thought would happen.
Kuwahara also wanted to make a historical mark on the sport, and become the 100th world champion from Japan. For that to happen he’s wanting Ryosuke Nishida (8-0, 1) [西田凌佑] to dethrone IBF Bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-2, 13) on May 4th, which would make Nishida the 99th Japanese world champion. Likewise if Kuwahara wins, and fellow Ohashi Gym fighters Yoshiki Takei (8-0, 8) [武居由樹], Takuma Inoue (19-1, 5) [井上拓真] and Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23) [井上尚弥] all win on May 6th, the gym will have 4 world champions, which would tie the record for world champions fighting out of a single Japanese gym.
As for the actual workout, Kuwahara took part in 2 rounds of shadow boxing and 2 rounds of hitting bags. Throughout he looked sharp, hungry and like a man ready to avenge his first, and so far only, professional loss.
Today, as part of the build up for the show, Kuwahara took part in a media workout at the Ohashi Gym.
Speaking about his development since their first bout Kuwahara stated that "I have improved in all aspects. I have been training hard to get rid of the bad image (of losing last time). Although it will be difficult to win against such an opponent, I will overcome my dream and become a world champion. In terms of biology, the strongest animal is a tiger, so on that day I will become a tiger," He also added that he wanted to thank Hideyuki Ohashi for allowing him to fight at the Tokyo Dome, something he never thought would happen.
Kuwahara also wanted to make a historical mark on the sport, and become the 100th world champion from Japan. For that to happen he’s wanting Ryosuke Nishida (8-0, 1) [西田凌佑] to dethrone IBF Bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-2, 13) on May 4th, which would make Nishida the 99th Japanese world champion. Likewise if Kuwahara wins, and fellow Ohashi Gym fighters Yoshiki Takei (8-0, 8) [武居由樹], Takuma Inoue (19-1, 5) [井上拓真] and Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23) [井上尚弥] all win on May 6th, the gym will have 4 world champions, which would tie the record for world champions fighting out of a single Japanese gym.
As for the actual workout, Kuwahara took part in 2 rounds of shadow boxing and 2 rounds of hitting bags. Throughout he looked sharp, hungry and like a man ready to avenge his first, and so far only, professional loss.