Dec

Hekkie Budler: ‘I’ll be ready for whatever Hiroto Kyoguchi brings’

Winning The Ring Magazine junior flyweight championship was a major goal for Hekkie Budler. Defending it against Hiroto Kyoguchi will be a whole other story.

Kazuto Ioka: ‘For myself, history is on the line’

24

Dec

Kazuto Ioka: ‘For myself, history is on the line’

by Anson Wainwright

On New Year’s Eve, Kazuto Ioka will attempt to become a four-division titlist when he challenges Donnie Nietes – also a former three-division beltholder.

Hiroto Kyoguchi wishes to ring in the New Year as junior flyweight champion

21

Dec

Hiroto Kyoguchi wishes to ring in the New Year as junior flyweight champion

by Nick Skok

Former IBF 105-pound titlist Hiroto Kyoguchi wants to kick off his New Year with a new belt around his waist: The Ring Magazine junior flyweight championship.

Guillermo Rigondeaux: ‘Other world beltholders are running scared’

29

Dec

Guillermo Rigondeaux: ‘Other world beltholders are running scared’

by Lem Satterfield

As RING junior featherweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux prepares for his defense against Hisashi Amagasa, he also laments the apparent lack of challenges from his fellow titlists.

Japan rings in New Year with Uchiyama, Ioka defenses

30

Dec

Japan rings in New Year with Uchiyama, Ioka defenses

by Ryan Songalia

While much of the world will spend their New Year’s Eve watching the ball drop in Times Square or catching a local fireworks display, Japan continues a yearly tradition of having its best fighters defend their world titles in dueling events on opposite ends of the country.