Yudai Shigeoka is set for his first fight as a former titleholder.
The Ring’s No. 5-rated strawweight contender will next face The Philippines’ Samuel Salva on Aug. 24 at Yamato Arena in Osaka, Japan. The bout will serve as the ABEMA-TV chief support to the already announced Lerato Dlamini-Tomoki Kameda rematch.
Shigeoka (8-1, 5 knockouts) has not fought since his bitter March 31 split decision defeat to Melvin Jerusalem (22-3, 12 KOs), No. 3 at 105, in Nagoya.
The setback ended his brief stay as WBC strawweight titlist. Shigeoka dethroned Panya Pradabsri (42-2, 26 KOs), No. 6 at 105, in their title consolidation clash last Oct. 7 in Tokyo. The 27-year-old southpawy held an interim version of the title before the well-earned upgrade in his unanimous decision win over the visiting Thai boxer.
Salva (20-1, 13 KOs) hits the road for the first time in his career in a considerable jump in competition level.
The 27-year-old fringe contender from Iligan City has fought exclusively in the Philippines throughout his eight-year pro career. His lone defeat came to countryman Pedro Taduran (16-4-1, 12 KOs) in their Sept. 2019 vacant IBF strawweight title fight.
Taduran, No. 8 at 105, challenges IBF titlist Ginjiro Shigeoka (11-0, 9 KOs) this Sunday in Otsu, Japan. Ginjiro is Yudai’s younger brother and The Ring’s No. 1-rated strawweight.
Meanwhile, Salva has won three in a row since his only career setback. All have come inside the distance but versus modest opposition, although he owns a 2019 victory over former titlist Rene Mark Cuarto.
Yudai Shigeoka was The Ring’s top-rated strawweight headed into his title defense versus Jerusalem, a former titlist at the time. His explosive race to the top included early career wins over then-contenders Lito Dante and Tsubasa Koura and former WBO beltholder Wilfredo Mendez (19-3-1, 6 KOs), No. 8 at 105.
However, he suffered two early knockdowns versus Jerusalem amidst a disastrous first half that proved too insurmountable to overcome. Shigeoka valiantly roared back over the final six rounds, only to fall short on two of the three scorecards.
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The post Yudai Shigeoka-Samuel Salva Added To Aug. 24 Lerato Dlamini-Tomoki Kameda II ABEMA-TV Show In Osaka appeared first on The Ring.
