New Year's Eve goes out with a bang in Japan with 5 title fights, the smallest, in terms of weight, sees unbeaten Japanese fighter Ryo Miyazaki (17-0-3, 10) facing former champion Pornsawan Porpramook (27-4-1, 17) for the now vacant WBA Minimumweight title (which has been vacated due to Kazuto Ioka moving to Light Flyweight). This bout promises nothing but excitement as Miyazaki looks to show he's the next in a very long line of world class Minimumweight's from Japan whilst Porpramook looks to become a 2-time world champion.
The 34 year old Porpramook may not be hugely well known by fight fans in the west though he has proven himself to be a solid world level fighter over the past few years. He's been a professional since 2001 and has been fighting for titles since just his second fight (he claimed the PABA Minimumweight title in his second professional bout). In fact since 2007 Porpramook has been fighting, on and off, at world level.
In his first attempt to claim a world title in 2007 Porpramook came up short against the hugely talented Filipino Donnie Nietes in a bout that was close and hard fought by both men. The following year Porpramook would again fall short, that time again Oleydong Sithsamerchai. In 2009 the Thai would again fall short, being stopped by Edgar Sosa in a Light Flyweight title fight before scoring an unlucky draw with Sithsamerchai in 2010. For Porpramook it was fifth time lucky in 2011 as he out pointed the legendary Muhammad Rachman for the WBA Minimumweight title.
Sadly Porpramook's title reign was short lived as Akira Yaegashi stopped him in a 10 round war just 3 months after Porpramook had eventually won a world title. He now goes back to Japan to seek revenge for the loss of his title and get revenge over Japanese fighters.
In terms of his style Porpramook is a tough fighter, whilst he has been stopped twice he proved his genuine toughness in both of those bouts and he proved he is genuine all action and exciting. He's never let a fighter really have their way with him other than Oleydong in their first meeting.
Whilst Porpramook is certainly part of the "last generation", the 24 year old Miyazaki is part of the new generation of fighters who are swiftly emerging, especially in Japan (along with the likes of Ioka amongst others). Despite being just 24 Miyazaki is experienced and seasoned with 20 professional bouts and 115 rounds under his belt, many of which have been fought at title level with Miyazaki having already claimed both the Japanese and the OPBF Light Flyweight titles.
Although having made his name at Light Flyweight, the rock solid looking Miyazaki is a natural Minimumweight. Stood at just 5'1 he's a true warrior facing bigger men than himself to toughen up before getting world title fights and whilst things haven't always gone to plan (with 3 technical draws on his record due to head clashes) he's proven to be able to hang with naturally bigger men.
For me the youth of Miyazaki as well as the wear and tear of Porpramook are likely the difference here. This could well be the best fight of the 5 world title fights that take place in Japan on New Years Eve with both men giving it their all, though I just think Miyazaki will be a little bit too fresh for the Thai warrior.
Prediction- Miyazaki TKO11
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