Toramasa Imanaga signs with the Ohashi Gym!
Earlier today Hideyuki Ohashi revealed his latest huge signing, as he officially announced that former Japanese amateur standout Toramasa Imanaga [今永虎雅] had signed with the Ohashi Gym, and was ending his amateur carer after 126 bouts in the unpaid ranks. As an amateur Imanaga ran up an excellent record, going 113-13 (26), whilst winning 10 major amateur titles, including success National Selection tournaments, Inter High School Championships, and National Athletic Meets, and the Taipei International Tournament.
As a professional Imanaga is expected to be fighting as a Lightweight, and will be having his career guided by some of the most notable men in Japanese boxing. Ohashi will be his promoter, he will be trained by former world champion Akira Yaegashi and former world title challenge Koji Matsumoto.
Imanaga explained that he toured several gyms, and was happy to see what was out there for him before turning professional, though it appeared that the Ohashi Gym was always going to be one of the front runners for his signature, given their talent pool, training facilities and the doors the gym can open for him. It's worth noting that whilst he was impressed you the Ohashi set up, Mr Ohashi was also impressed by Imanaga, with Ohashi explaining that Imanaga had a powerful punch and good defense. He also explained that the target for Imanaga is a world title title, and that he wants to get Imanaga a Japanese ranking by the end of the year.
The plan for Imanaga is to take part in his B class protest on April 26th before making his debut in late June, on a yet to be announced Ohashi card, likely in a 6 rounder at or around the Lightweight limit.
As well as Imanaga it was also announced that Ohashi had signed 22 year Yuya Tanaka [田中湧也] and 17 year old Kenta Yamakawa [山川健太], who will both be expected to have very bright futures in the sport, under the guidance of Ohashi.
As a professional Imanaga is expected to be fighting as a Lightweight, and will be having his career guided by some of the most notable men in Japanese boxing. Ohashi will be his promoter, he will be trained by former world champion Akira Yaegashi and former world title challenge Koji Matsumoto.
Imanaga explained that he toured several gyms, and was happy to see what was out there for him before turning professional, though it appeared that the Ohashi Gym was always going to be one of the front runners for his signature, given their talent pool, training facilities and the doors the gym can open for him. It's worth noting that whilst he was impressed you the Ohashi set up, Mr Ohashi was also impressed by Imanaga, with Ohashi explaining that Imanaga had a powerful punch and good defense. He also explained that the target for Imanaga is a world title title, and that he wants to get Imanaga a Japanese ranking by the end of the year.
The plan for Imanaga is to take part in his B class protest on April 26th before making his debut in late June, on a yet to be announced Ohashi card, likely in a 6 rounder at or around the Lightweight limit.
As well as Imanaga it was also announced that Ohashi had signed 22 year Yuya Tanaka [田中湧也] and 17 year old Kenta Yamakawa [山川健太], who will both be expected to have very bright futures in the sport, under the guidance of Ohashi.