SLUGGER Kenny Demecillo guns for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific super bantamweight strap against Kazuki Nakajima in his Japan debut on Feb. 17 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Demecillo is no stranger to Japan after being there a couple of times as a sparring partner for brothers Naoya and Takuma Inoue. He, however, hasn’t fought in Japan.
Following a two-year hiatus, Demecillo made his comeback last year and stopped both Eric Pulgo and experienced Macrea Gandionco.
The 30-year-old Demecillo is a former WBO Oceania bantamweight champion and shared the ring with the likes of former world title contenders Michael Dasmarinas and Edrin Dapudong.
Demecillo always brings his fan-friendly brawling style and iron chin to all his fights, which earned him his moniker “Big Heart.”
Demecillo became a regional champion after an upset win over former amateur standout Daryl Basadre in 2015. Nakajima is currently on a three-fight winning streak since losing his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation belt to Keita Kurihara in 2021. He beat former world title contender Karoon Jarupianlerd, Chaiwat Buatkrathok and Shohei Kawashima in his recent run.
Demecillo tipped the scales at 121.5 pounds, while Nakajima weighed-in at 121.7 pounds. Demecillo is 16-5-2 with 10 knockouts, while the 29-year-old Nakajima is 13-1-1 with 11 knockouts.