Boxing Raise to show Hajime No Ippo tournament final live!
Earlier today Boxing Raise revealed that they would be having their next live stream on August 22nd as they broadcast the "Hajime No Ippo 30th Anniversary tournament" final. Notably they will also have Jyoji Morikawa, the creator of Hajime No Ippo, doing commentary.
The event will be headlined by the tournament final, which will see Shingo Kusano (13-8-1, 5) [草野慎悟] and Daisuke Watanabe (10-4-2, 6) [渡部大介] clash over 8 rounds. To reach the final Kusano has over-come Chinese fighter Qiang Ma and Korean warrior Jae Woo Lee whilst Watanabe has advanced thanks to a technical draw against Koshin Takeshima and a win over Richard Pumicpic.
Although neither of the finalists are too well know in the West they should make for a good stylistic match up, with Watanabe being an aggressive come forward fighter and Kusano being a smart counter puncher who draws pressure and tries to make opponents pay for coming forward.
As well as the main event we'll also see former world title challenger Shingo Wake (26-6-2, 18) [和氣 慎吾] take on Shohei Kawashima (18-4-2, 4) [川島翔平]. This is a must win for Wake, given his massive upset loss last year to Jhunriel Ramonal last year, at the age of 33 Wake cannot afford any more set backs if he's to get a second world title fight before his career comes to an end. It is also a bout that Kawashima can ill afford to lose given his recent losses to Hiroaki Teshigawara, Juan Miguel Elorde and Gaku Aikawa.
Another man who can't afford another loss but will be on this card is former Japanese Lightweight champion Shuhei Tsuchiya (23-6, 18) [土屋 修平]. Tscuhiya lost in a big upset last time out, when he was stopped by Shogo Yamaguchi in February, and has been stopped in 2 of his last 3 bouts, with the other defeat coming to Kazuhiro Nishitani in 2017. He'll be looking to bounce back as he takes on 2018 All Japan Rookie of the Year winner George Tachibana (8-4, 2) [橘ジョージ].
For those without Boxing Raise this is a great chance to give the service a try. The service is still only ¥980, which is $9.20 or £7.08, and give not only access to this live show but also a back catalogue of over 2000 fighters.
The event will be headlined by the tournament final, which will see Shingo Kusano (13-8-1, 5) [草野慎悟] and Daisuke Watanabe (10-4-2, 6) [渡部大介] clash over 8 rounds. To reach the final Kusano has over-come Chinese fighter Qiang Ma and Korean warrior Jae Woo Lee whilst Watanabe has advanced thanks to a technical draw against Koshin Takeshima and a win over Richard Pumicpic.
Although neither of the finalists are too well know in the West they should make for a good stylistic match up, with Watanabe being an aggressive come forward fighter and Kusano being a smart counter puncher who draws pressure and tries to make opponents pay for coming forward.
As well as the main event we'll also see former world title challenger Shingo Wake (26-6-2, 18) [和氣 慎吾] take on Shohei Kawashima (18-4-2, 4) [川島翔平]. This is a must win for Wake, given his massive upset loss last year to Jhunriel Ramonal last year, at the age of 33 Wake cannot afford any more set backs if he's to get a second world title fight before his career comes to an end. It is also a bout that Kawashima can ill afford to lose given his recent losses to Hiroaki Teshigawara, Juan Miguel Elorde and Gaku Aikawa.
Another man who can't afford another loss but will be on this card is former Japanese Lightweight champion Shuhei Tsuchiya (23-6, 18) [土屋 修平]. Tscuhiya lost in a big upset last time out, when he was stopped by Shogo Yamaguchi in February, and has been stopped in 2 of his last 3 bouts, with the other defeat coming to Kazuhiro Nishitani in 2017. He'll be looking to bounce back as he takes on 2018 All Japan Rookie of the Year winner George Tachibana (8-4, 2) [橘ジョージ].
For those without Boxing Raise this is a great chance to give the service a try. The service is still only ¥980, which is $9.20 or £7.08, and give not only access to this live show but also a back catalogue of over 2000 fighters.