CLYDE Azarcon guns for his first regional title and a possible spot in the world rankings against 19-year-old former amateur standout Ginjiro Shigeoka in Japan.
The 24-year-old Azarcon slugs it out with Shigeoka for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific minimumweight crown on July 27, 2019 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
“His opponent is very good. This will be a good fight,” Azarcon’s trainer at the Big Yellow Boxing Gym, Christopher “Ping-Ping” Tepora told SunStar Cebu. “Azarcon is ready. This is a very important fight for him because if he wins he will barge into the world rankings.”
Azarcon fought for the vacant WBO Oriental minimumweight belt in 2018 anf lost to Rene Mark Cuarto by unanimous decision. It was just his second career defeat after losing to Junrel Jimenez in his second pro fight.
Azarcon won two of his last three contests since losing to Cuarto. He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Ernesto Alera.
Shigeoka just turned pro last year after an impressive 56-1 amateur career. He stopped Thai Sanchai Yotboon in three rounds in his pro debut in 2018. He followed it up with a first round demolition of Gerttipong Kumsahwat and a unanimous decision over Filipino prospect Joel Lino.
“He’s (Shigeoka) quick but I trained Clyde and let him get used to fighting a southpaw,” said Tepora, who had Azarcon spar with Rhonvex Capuloy regularly.
Azarcon is 15-2-1 with five knockouts, while Shigeoka is 3-0 with two knockouts. (EKA)