By Cliff Rold
Truly high stakes in an overseas Jr. Bantamweight fight? The notion seems unlikely, at least from the viewpoint of the American market and its fans, but the land of sake and sushi hosts a battle Monday that could have an effect on both. At the Bunka Gym in Yokohama, Japan, 28-year old Venezuelan 115 lb. titlist Alexander Munoz (31-2, 27 KO, Ring Magazine #2, WBA belt) goes head to head with former lineal World champion and native son of the island nation, the 33-year old Katsushige Kawashima (32-6, 21 KO, #7). Given their styles and knockout numbers, the in-ring collision alone is worth anticipation.
The greater stakes are as well and they are different for each man. The result can likely only touch the Americas with a Munoz win. Not seen often on these shores, the two notable viewing opportunities afforded for Munoz left their impressions. Both came against talented Mexican Martin Castillo (33-2, 17 KO, #1) for the WBA belt.
The first time out left a lesser impression.
Munoz, recovering from a leg injury, faced Castillo on Spanish language Telefutura in December 2004. Undefeated and in the midst of what was the first of now two title reigns, and noted for a one fight shy of perfect knockout rate, it was Munoz’s misfortune to face perhaps the best Castillo there has ever been. A commendable late-rounds surge was a small morale reward as Castillo had built too substantial a lead through the first nine rounds. The result was so decided that the announcement of a January 2006 rematch on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales II did little to add to the main events ‘must-see’ vibe.
It turned out to be the sort of fight that should have. Turned counter-puncher early on, Munoz hurt Castillo and drew him into a violent struggle that sparked many an argument when the final scores were read. Castillo escaped with a split decision victory, but many are those who feel that it was Munoz who should have had his hand raised on the night. It was a battle that should have led to more Munoz in the U.S. Instead, it was the fans of Japan who benefited with his last two bouts, and his next, coming on their turf.
If the second Castillo bout signaled a depth to Munoz not seen in his initial rise, it was his first of this Japanese trilogy that signaled just how singular his first Castillo performance was. In an inside out act of revenge, Munoz defeated Castillo-conqueror Nobuo Nashiro (10-1, 6 KO, #3) by unanimous decision in May 2007 to reclaim the WBA title and the paydays that come with it.
Kawashima should be a standard defense, but the announcement that Castillo will be facing fellow Mexican Fernando Montiel (35-2-1, 26 KO, #5, WBO title) on the February 16th undercard of Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor II adds extra pressure. Munoz is certain to believe he has unfinished business with Castillo and a third bout between the two, with two belts on the line, would not be a hard sell.
Also on that undercard next month will be a bout between Cristian Mijares (33-3-2, 14 KO, #4, WBC) and former U.S. Olympian Jose Navarro. Mijares is a fighter who shows pound-for pound type potential; that type of potential demands big fights. Navarro is a known commodity in Japan, having traveled there for losses to Kawashima (although that must always be remembered as a terribly controversial verdict) and to the exceptional, and now retired, Masamori Tokuyama. A bout between Navarro and Munoz overseas or in the U.S. would not be inconceivable.
All of this adds up to a significant moment in the career of Munoz. Big money and big possibilities can exist this Tuesday with a win on Monday night.
For Kawashima, the stakes are different. His is a career comparable to that of short-lived Welterweight king Ricardo Mayorga, a fighter who has made a career as much with style as actual notable victories. He turned a shocking first-round knockout of Tokuyama in their second bout (he lost their first and third by wide decision) into a string of consistent paydays even as he has continued to lose almost every bout that mattered. That string is based largely on the entertainment value of his fights.
A crude slugger, Kawashima comes to fight in every outing. He’s aggressive, sometimes wild, and never boring. At 33, this bout marks perhaps a last chance. He failed in two attempts to defeat Mijares, the second time by stoppage in the tenth round. Failure on Monday could make it difficult to sell Kawashima as a viable threat in the future in his home market. Victory could logically lead to an all-Japan showdown with Nashiro or a rematch with Munoz and either bout would mean enhanced financial security.
Judged solely on its merits, Munoz-Kawashima has the potential to be an explosive and bloody conflict between two fighters known for them. Judged together with the happenings of its division, this becomes a bout of significance beyond its result.
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
