Battle in Japan for Mizuki Hiruta, Yuko Kuroki and Mika Iwakawa

By David A. Avila

Battle.

Mizuki Hiruta, a pink flame-haired super flyweight world champion, spearheads an all-female fight card in Tokyo this week.

WBO super flyweight titlist Hiruta (5-0) defends against South Korea’s Ji Hyun Park (26-3) on Friday Jan. 12, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Two other world titles bouts are also scheduled to take place.

Battling is what Japanese fighters do like Hiruta, a five-foot, four-inch warrior with a taste for Hello Kitty outfits. This will be her second defense of the world title that she captured in December 2022.

Hiruta is perhaps Japan’s most powerful fighter and with only five pro fights could evolve into one of the best. Strength and a yen to learn new skills are her primary assets. She’s a southpaw slugger and eager to prove her abilities.

Also on the card are two other world title bouts and several regional title contests.

Yuko Kuroki (22-7-2) defends the WBA and WBO atomweight titles against Eri Matsuda (6-1-1) in a 10-round fight. Kuroki obtained the titles this past summer with a close majority decision win over Mexico’s Montserrat Alarcon who had an eight-fight winning streak.

Mika Iwakawa (12-6-1) defends the IBF atomweight title against Sumire Yamanaka (7-0) who has knocked out three consecutive foes. This is Iwakawa’s second defense of the title.

The Japanese fighters are known for their aggressive styles and energetic tempos. For the past 20 years fighters like Tsunami Tenkai, Fujin Raika and legendary Naoko Fujioka willingly fought anyone anywhere. They continue to showcase their talent all over the world.

Recently, Miyo Yoshida accepted a world title match against Australia’s Ebanie Bridges and won the IBF bantamweight title in San Francisco, California.

Japanese fighters are on the rise.

Three-minutes or Not

Mikaela Mayer (19-1, 5 Kos) is set to meet England’s Natasha Jonas (14-2-1) for the IBF welterweight world title on Saturday Jan. 20, in Liverpool. The big question is will it be three-minute rounds or not.

Mayer asked the Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom publicly during a press conference to make the bout three-minute rounds. He balked. But he still did not say whether the fight will be held at three or two-minute rounds.

Jonas agreed publicly that three-minute rounds are fine for her.

So, what’s the problem?

Baumgardner

Is Alycia Baumgardner suspended or not?

Last July 15, Baumgardner defended her undisputed super featherweight championship against Christina Linardatou and won by decision. But PED test results showed positive results for banned substances and she was placed on suspension.

Calls and messages to the super featherweight titlist Baumgardner went unanswered and requests for an explanation were not given by any of the sanctioning organizations or her promoter Matchroom Boxing.

The WBC which demands PED tests for female world title fights did not give any details either after repeated calls to Mauricio Sulaiman.

Somebody needs to explain.

Where is the transparency?

More Fight News

Argentina

On Saturday Jan. 13, light flyweights Maria Sol Baumstarh (9-6-1) and Leiryn Flores (21-4-1) meet 10 rounds for the South American title at Buenos Aires.

Belgium

On Saturday Jan. 13, super welterweights Femke Hermans (17-4) and Ester Konecna (3-25-2) meet six rounds at Ghent.

Canada

On Saturday Jan. 13, super featherweights Leila Beaudoin (10-1) and Elizabeth Chavez (4-5-3) meet eight rounds at Quebec.

China

Bowen Wang (1-0-1) knocked out Lin Jia (0-1) in the first round on Sunday Dec. 31. The super featherweight fight took place in Panzihihua. Also, super bantamweight Carysney Garcia (1-0) knocked out Jiaq Shi (0-1) in the first round.

Super bantamweights Xuan Shao (0-0-1) and Eleanor Bouttell (0-0-1) fought to a split draw after four rounds on Sunday Dec. 31. The match was held in Shangluo.

Denmark

On Saturday Jan. 13, featherweights Elizabeth Oshoba (6-0) and Michela Braga (6-0) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Copenhagen. Also, flyweights Emma Kirstein (0-0) and Snezana Siljkovic (4-17-3) meet four rounds.

Germany

Elina Tissen (26-3) defeated Jane Kavulani (19-18-5) by knockout in the eighth round on Saturday Jan. 6. The featherweight title fight was held in Munster.

On Saturday Jan. 13, atomweights Fabiana Bytyqi (20-0-2) and Tina Rupprecht (12-1-1) meet 10 rounds at Berlin for the WBC world title.

Japan

Atomweights Yuko Kuroki (22-7-2) and Eri Matsuda (6-1-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBA and WBO world titles on Friday Jan. 12, at Tokyo. Also, atomweights Mika Iwakawa (12-6-1) and Sumire Yamanaka (7-0) meet 10 rounds for the IBF world title. Super flyweights Mizuki Hiruta (5-0) and Ji Hyun Park (26-3) meet 10 rounds for the WBO world title; bantamweights Terumi Nuki (13-5) and Monika Singh (4-0) meet eight rounds for the regional title; flyweights Yuki Fuke (3-0) and Mika Yagio (4-2-1) meet six rounds; and minimumweights Riyuna Yoshikawa (6-1-1) and Mayumi Nakano (5-1) meet eight rounds for a regional title.

USA

Featherweights Jaclyne McTamney (1-0) and Cara McLaughlin (1-7) meet four rounds on Friday Jan. 12, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

On Saturday Jan. 13, super flyweights LeAnna Cruz (7-0) and Josefina Vega (9-8) meet six rounds at Atlantic City, New Jersey.