Kurihara and Chiba make weight for OPBF title bout
Tomorrow fight fans at Korakuen Hall will get the chance to see OPBF Bantamweight champion Keita Kurihara (16-6-1, 14) [栗原慶太] defending his title against Kai Chiba (13-3, 8) [千葉 開] in an interesting looking match up.
Today, ahead of their bout, the two men took part in their weight in for the contest, and both men made the 118lb weight limit with no issues.
On the scales the champion, who looked in excellent condition, was 118lbs and he looked really good whilst also looking naturally bigger than the challenger, who was slightly lighter at 117.8lbs. Despite being the naturally smaller man, Chiba looked in incredible shape, looking ripped and ready.
At the weigh in Kurihara explained that he was in the best shape of his career, telling the made he "finished better than ever", in regards to his preparation. He also explained that he spoke well of Chiba, and has clearly scouted his challenger, whilst also explaining that he wanted to break Chiba and leave him feeling like he can't do anything.
As for Chiba he explained that he was full of motivation for the bout, which is his second OPBF title fight following a loss in 2021 to Kazuki Nakajima. He also spoke about knowing Kurihara following sparring sessions together, and it seems like he feels that sparring will give him the edge here.
Related - OPBF king Kurihara clashes with Chiba
Today, ahead of their bout, the two men took part in their weight in for the contest, and both men made the 118lb weight limit with no issues.
On the scales the champion, who looked in excellent condition, was 118lbs and he looked really good whilst also looking naturally bigger than the challenger, who was slightly lighter at 117.8lbs. Despite being the naturally smaller man, Chiba looked in incredible shape, looking ripped and ready.
At the weigh in Kurihara explained that he was in the best shape of his career, telling the made he "finished better than ever", in regards to his preparation. He also explained that he spoke well of Chiba, and has clearly scouted his challenger, whilst also explaining that he wanted to break Chiba and leave him feeling like he can't do anything.
As for Chiba he explained that he was full of motivation for the bout, which is his second OPBF title fight following a loss in 2021 to Kazuki Nakajima. He also spoke about knowing Kurihara following sparring sessions together, and it seems like he feels that sparring will give him the edge here.
Related - OPBF king Kurihara clashes with Chiba