Nagata and Kim make weight for WBO Asia Pacific title bout!
Tomorrow at the Fashion Center Event Hall, in Seoul, we’ll see OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific Light Welterweight champion Daishi Nagata (19-3-2, 6) [永田大士] make his international debut, as he takes on Korean puncher Yong Uk Kim (6-0, 5) [김용욱], in a defense of his WBO regional title.
Today, ahead of their bout, the two men took part in their weigh in, with both men comfortably making the 140lb limit.
On the scales Nagata, who looked in great shape was bang on the limit, and seemed full of excitement for his first bout on the road, and was also really respectful of Kim. He told the press “He's just as good athlete as I'd heard”. And added “I'm feeling the support and cooperation of the Misako Gym team and the strength of the people around me more than ever, and I'm in good shape. I'm grateful and respectful to be able to fight completely away” before finishing by saying “I'll do what I have to do”.
As for Kim, he came in with some room to spare, weighing in at 139.4lbs. As mentioned by Nagata, Kim looked in great shape and like an athlete. He is stepping up for this bout, in a big way, but oozed self assured confidence and stated “My opponent is the champion, so I think he's strong, and although I'm the underdog, I'll win by KO tomorrow.”
Given the styles of the two men, with Nagata being a flawed but tough fighter and Kim being a big punching action fighter, the rivalry between Japanese and Korean boxers, and how this is a huge chance for Kim to put himself on the boxing map, we’re expecting a sensational fight here and wouldn’t be surprised by the contest being an instant classic for fans in attendance.
Today, ahead of their bout, the two men took part in their weigh in, with both men comfortably making the 140lb limit.
On the scales Nagata, who looked in great shape was bang on the limit, and seemed full of excitement for his first bout on the road, and was also really respectful of Kim. He told the press “He's just as good athlete as I'd heard”. And added “I'm feeling the support and cooperation of the Misako Gym team and the strength of the people around me more than ever, and I'm in good shape. I'm grateful and respectful to be able to fight completely away” before finishing by saying “I'll do what I have to do”.
As for Kim, he came in with some room to spare, weighing in at 139.4lbs. As mentioned by Nagata, Kim looked in great shape and like an athlete. He is stepping up for this bout, in a big way, but oozed self assured confidence and stated “My opponent is the champion, so I think he's strong, and although I'm the underdog, I'll win by KO tomorrow.”
Given the styles of the two men, with Nagata being a flawed but tough fighter and Kim being a big punching action fighter, the rivalry between Japanese and Korean boxers, and how this is a huge chance for Kim to put himself on the boxing map, we’re expecting a sensational fight here and wouldn’t be surprised by the contest being an instant classic for fans in attendance.