With there being 5 world title fights it could be difficult to decide which one to watch though for me personally the pick of the bunch takes place in Japan as the unheralded Thai Tepparith Kokietgym (20-2, 13) defends his WBA Super Flyweight title against former 2-time champion Nobuo Nashiro (18-4-1, 12) in what promises to be something special.
In a bit of an oddity the challenger Nobuo Nashiro, will be the home town favourite with the bout taking place in Osaka, Osaka though is actually likely to go into the bout as the under-dog due to his recent results in world title fights, which includes losses in his last 3. In fact of Nashiro's fights so far all 4 of his losses have come in world title fights, as has his draw as he's spent much of the last 6 years facing the worlds best.
Nashiro started his career in 2003 and quickly raced to Japanese title beating the experienced Seiji Tanaka by TKO10 (sadly Tanaka passed away from the injuries he suffered in this bout). After making just a single defence of his national title (defeating Prosper Matsuura) Nashiro gave up the belt to fight for the WBA world title against Mexican Martin Castillo, who had twice traveled to Japan to defeat Hideyasu Ishihara. In a notable upset Nashiro, who had had only 7 professional contests prior to facing Castillo managed to stop the Mexican in the 10th round on cuts.
Nashiro's title reign lasted less than 10 months and consisted of just a single successful defense as he out pointed Eduardo Garcia before losing the belt to former champion Alexander Munoz by a wide decision. After Munoz made 2 successful defences he attempted to unify the WBA belt with the WBC belt by taking on the extremely talented Cristian Mijares, this left the WBA in a position of having a "Super" champion, so they vacated the "regular belt" and allowed Nashiro to face fellow Japanese hard man Kohei Kono in a bout for the vacant "regular belt". The two men fought each other hard with Nashiro taking a narrow split decision to become a 2-time world champion.
Nashiro's second reign as a world champion lasted notably longer than his original reign and this time featured 2 successful defenses. In his first defense Nashiro defeated fellow Japanese fighter Konosuke Tomiyama in an enthralling battle that saw Nashiro dropped in the opening minute and again in round 6 before battling back to stop Tomiyama in an exhilarating 8th round that had the crowd in a frenzy. In his second defense Nashiro managed to score a draw with excellent Mexican Hugo Fidel Cazares before losing his title in a rematch wit Cazares less than 8 months later.
Since the loss to Cazares, Nashiro has twice challenged for the WBC Super Flyweight title, losing decisions to both Tomas Rojas and Suriyan Sor Rungvisai to take his record in world title fights to 4-4-1 (2).
Due to often being the shorter man in the ring Nashiro depends on his pressure and his ox like strength which has seen him often able to just out power or out tough opponents.His key weapon in the ring is his thunderous straight right hand which really seems to rattle opponents at world level and whilst he's not got the longest arms he has an effective jab which seems to always be hurtful. Despite this if fighters can keep Nashiro at range with their movement and jab they can out point him, though no one will ever have an easy night with the hard hitting and fearless warrior.
Whilst the challenger has been around the world level for the better part of the last 6 years Tepparith, the champion is a bit of a new kid on the block having only claimed the WBA "interim" Super Flyweight title around 15 months ago by upsetting the then fast rising Filipino Drian Francisco scoring a clear decision over the highly touted Francisco. Since then however he has really started to make a name for himself with 2 very impressive defenses.
The 23 year old Thai debuted in 2008 aged just 19 and after winning his debut he went on to lose 2 of his following 4 bouts (including one to future champion Suriyan Sor Rungvisai) as his record fell to 3-2 in December 2008. Since then however Tepparith has developed amazingly having claimed the interim PABA Flyweight title in just his 10th professional contest before adding the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight title just 3 fights later.
Despite developing well it was until his victory over Drian Francisco (who entered 20-0-1, 16) in 2011 that the boxing world really sat up and took any notice of the young Thai. Not only had he beaten Francisco, who at the time looked like a rising phenom but he'd scored a knockdown of the highly fancied Filipino in the 4rd round to claim the interim WBA Super Flyweight title.
Despite the victory over Francisco some thought little of Tepparith who, after being upgraded to the WBA's full champion, traveled to Japan to face the former WBA Flyweight champion Daiki Kameda who had moved up to the Super Flyweight division. Although Kameda was the home fighter, with the bout taking place in Osaka, the crowd couldn't help Kameda who was was pretty clearly beaten by an excellent champion who looked fantastic on the night.
Having beaten both Francisco and Kameda it was perhaps time that Tepparith had started to get some serious acclaim that however didn't come until earlier this year as Tepparith faced the WBA Super Flyweight champion in Recess Tomonobu Shimizu. Shimizu, a credible fighter had upset Hugo Fidel Cazares by split decision in August 2011 to claim the WBA Super Flyweight title, his reign was to be short lived as Tepparith stopped him in round 9.
Whilst not a particularly big puncher Tepparith is well schooled and has excellent movement with both his head and his feet allowing him to move out of danger with his feet or moving his head as he looks for a counter. Like his feet and head he has quick hands and can really catch unsuspecting opponents with razor sharp shorts from a variety of angles. Whilst skilled defensively he's also an extremely good finisher when he lets his hands go, as he did against Shimizu in round 9 stopping his Japanese opponent with a series of hurtful shots against the ropes.
Going into this fight it's hard to actually predict who will win. Whilst Nashiro has been on a poor run at world title level he is by far the more experienced man at the top level with 9 world title fights to Tepparith's 3 and he will also have the home crowd support as well as a clear edge in power. Though Tepparith will certainly not hold any fear by fighting in Japan having fought his last 2 bouts there and is clearly the faster, younger fighter though he's never been hit by anything like Nashiro's right hand which could well lead to a lights out moment if it lands cleanly on Tepparith who's chin is also pretty untested.
If Tepparith fights to the most of his ability I feel he should be able to use his youth (7 years difference), speed, movement and counters to out point Nashiro who genuinely never gives up. The Thai will have to be very cautious of Nashiro's right hand which if it lands, well, anything could happen, if can he avoid it however he should run out a winner and further cement his place as one of the world's top Super Flyweights.
Prediction-Tepparith Kokietgym by decision
Please note-Tepparith Kokietgym was previously known as Tepparith Singwancha
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