Why are Japanese fighters so reluctant to travel?

:thinking: Nishioka brutally knocked Gonzalez out cold in four rounds. Apart from a flash knock down in the first, he won everything else. It wasn't close to going the other way. Anyone that thought Marquez beat Nishioka can't score a fight or simply didn't watch it. Frankly, it wasn't even that close. Anyway, both those fights were as clear as day so you've lost me there. An easy fourth round KO and a very clear UD. Anyway, it's simple really. The market for those weight classes just isn't big here. They're stars in their own country and have big TV and sponsorship deals so why in the world would they come over apart from for the odd big fight? They have every reason to stay at home and actually have a good, well paid, worthy career. He got embarrassed by donaire

:thinking: Nishioka brutally knocked Gonzalez out cold in four rounds. Apart from a flash knock down in the first, he won everything else. It wasn't close to going the other way. Anyone that thought Marquez beat Nishioka can't score a fight or simply didn't watch it. Frankly, it wasn't even that close. Anyway, both those fights were as clear as day so you've lost me there. An easy fourth round KO and a very clear UD. Anyway, it's simple really. The market for those weight classes just isn't big here. They're stars in their own country and have big TV and sponsorship deals so why in the world would they come over apart from for the odd big fight? They have every reason to stay at home and actually have a good, well paid, worthy career. You've totally missed the point.

You'd think there would be more initiative to at least hit boxing's Mecca in Vegas, seeing as how closely Teiken works with Top Rank. Top Rank has done fairly well at supporting the lower weight classes for years and always have a steady stable. They have given a pretty good platform for Teiken when they're willing. Although it makes all the sense in the world for them to fight at home as well. Also, a lot of the Japanese fighters who try and make the cross over tend to burn and crash. Nishioka was the only one balsy enough to head to Mexico and fight Gonzalez (which almost went the other way), then Marquez in the US (whom some think got robbed), then Donaire. Shimoda getting KO'd by Ramos in the US, then crushed by Sonsona in China. Everytime Kamegai fought outside of Japan he didn't do so hot. Just overall bad juju. :thinking: Nishioka brutally knocked Gonzalez out cold in four rounds. Apart from a flash knock down in the first, he won everything else. It wasn't close to going the other way. Anyone that thought Marquez beat Nishioka can't score a fight or simply didn't watch it. Frankly, it wasn't even that close. Anyway, both those fights were as clear as day so you've lost me there. An easy fourth round KO and a very clear UD. Anyway, it's simple really. The market for those weight classes just isn't big here. They're stars in their own country and have big TV and sponsorship deals so why in the world would they come over apart from for the odd big fight? They have every reason to stay at home and actually have a good, well paid, worthy career.

Another thing is the time zone difference. Its way easier for an American to go fight in Japan than a person from Japan to fight in America. That's why you see a lot of Japanese fighters come to America and struggle,its because they are sleepy by fight time. Idk why all you dudes are over looking this important point. When I flew to NYC from California, once I go there I was dead tired. I can't imagine having to fly for over 10 hours, the time zone difference is real. That is why west coast teams in football always lose in the east coast like the raiders and chargers

USA is very much the center of the world. Not for these Japanese fighters at least ;)

Change the world Japan with America and ask yourself if it's still an enigma. I don't remember when was the last time that Mayweather fought outside the US... Let the other countries have some respect for themselves too. Your country is not the center of the world. USA is very much the center of the world.

Thanks fellas. This is one of the fights I am hopeful gets made. I hope it can be made even if Walters signs with Haymon as has been suggested. That may mean the fight never happens. Haymon has either terrible match makers or is unwilling to place his guys in with tougher opponents. Walter v Uchiyama is not a super fight, it does not require a year long build. Make it happen asap and best chances of that are away from Haymon.

And why does no one seem to call them out on it? Japan produces some great boxers and many prospects that follow. But they only seem to ever want to fight in Japan. Never elsewhere, why is that? Try following boxing, dummy

And why does no one seem to call them out on it? Japan produces some great boxers and many prospects that follow. But they only seem to ever want to fight in Japan. Never elsewhere, why is that? Change the word Japan with America and ask yourself if it's still an enigma. I don't remember when was the last time that Mayweather fought outside the US... Let the other countries have some respect for themselves too. Your country is not the center of the world.

And why does no one seem to call them out on it? Japan produces some great boxers and many prospects that follow. But they only seem to ever want to fight in Japan. Never elsewhere, why is that? I live in Tokyo, and speak Japanese. Most Japanese boxers can't speak English. When Ishida stopped kirkland, there was no official translator there to interview! It shows a bias. El mexicanito kameda fights in Mexico or Vegas, he has a great Mexican fan base. If Uchiyama San, Takayama San Inoue san, all spoke English like Manny, they would be house hold names! I believe it boils down to English and the comfort of fighting in front of the home crowd! Btw, before anyone challenges me, at least look up why Kameda fights from Mexico. Please! I may not respond to you if you are too stupid!

I've seen Japanese fighters travel to Mexico in recent times and even defend their belts there. Miura did it, Nishioka, hell Takayama lost his belt in Mexico in 2014's FOTY. I think the reason why the don't travel to the states is due to the fact that the U.S. has little to no interest in the weight divisions most Japanese fighters thrive in. Also, they are rewarded rather handsomely and enjoy home court advantage in their country, why would they throw all that away just to fight in foreign soil? That's the same reason as to why Mexican fighters from the lower weight divisions hardly ever travel outside of Mexico unless it's them traveling to the Philippines, Japan or Thailand. There exists a fanbase for those weights in those respective countries, unlike in the U.S. ^^^ Something like this...

I've seen Japanese fighters travel to Mexico in recent times and even defend their belts there. Miura did it, Nishioka, hell Takayama lost his belt in Mexico in 2014's FOTY. I think the reason why the don't travel to the states is due to the fact that the U.S. has little to no interest in the weight divisions most Japanese fighters thrive in. Also, they are rewarded rather handsomely and enjoy home court advantage in their country, why would they throw all that away just to fight in foreign soil? That's the same reason as to why Mexican fighters from the lower weight divisions hardly ever travel outside of Mexico unless it's them traveling to the Philippines, Japan or Thailand. There exists a fanbase for those weights in those respective countries, unlike in the U.S.

Why should they?

Another thing is the time zone difference. Its way easier for an American to go fight in Japan than a person from Japan to fight in America. That's why you see a lot of Japanese fighters come to America and struggle,its because they are sleepy by fight time.

ding ding ding Same reason why Euro guys hi-jack belts and defend them at home....same reason americans do it Come to think of it, when was the last time an american won a world title or defended it overseas? Crawford won the WBO lightweight title here in the UK But you're right, the examples are very few and far between

You'd think there would be more initiative to at least hit boxing's Mecca in Vegas, seeing as how closely Teiken works with Top Rank. Top Rank has done fairly well at supporting the lower weight classes for years and always have a steady stable. They have given a pretty good platform for Teiken when they're willing. Although it makes all the sense in the world for them to fight at home as well. Also, a lot of the Japanese fighters who try and make the cross over tend to burn and crash. Nishioka was the only one balsy enough to head to Mexico and fight Gonzalez (which almost went the other way), then Marquez in the US (whom some think got robbed), then Donaire. Shimoda getting KO'd by Ramos in the US, then crushed by Sonsona in China. Everytime Kamegai fought outside of Japan he didn't do so hot. Just overall bad juju.

Pretty much. There has to be a financial incentive to travel. ding ding ding Same reason why Euro guys hi-jack belts and defend them at home....same reason americans do it Come to think of it, when was the last time an american won a world title or defended it overseas?

There's just so much more adoration for pro boxer/athletes in other first world country brother! U don't see the electricity of froch in the usa here at all. When ur a hot commodity like inoue, ur not leaving ur home country to the USA, there's just not enough respect n finances....he's a prince in Japan.... I'm not kidding n this is is relevant to the original question....there's just too many good Japanese pu ssies to be missed, y waste a day...ask mikeTyson, he was Japanese wasted before he got in the ring with douglas....haha

You're talking out of your arse. EDIT: Anyway, my view is that Japanese fighters a) earn enough to stay at home b) have a completely different culture to the west. My second point definitely plays the bigger part as most fighters would earn enough to stay at home. The only other boxing country in Asia, off the top of my head, that has a strong base is Thailand. Philippines is too Americanized for me to include 'em in this. Coincidentally Thai fighters rarely travel either. Not really,,,, yeah the bigger name guys came to US for the higher profile fights but overall now you see more of the beltholder type guys fighting in the US more often that wasn't always the case maybe a fight here or there but not as consistent as now , guys like Lee Selby or Jamie McDonnell that has been a direct influence of the PBC

LOL, trying to bait people. Why don't Americans ever travel to other places? They must be scared doe What an idiot. Most Asians are smaller weight class people... and where do they predominantly fight? In Asia, then Mexico and Africa... literally the only places. And if you're in Japan and you're a good fighter with backing, why would you travel all the way to South Africa or some outdoor gym in Thailand if you're going to get paid more at home? You see what happens when somebody does pay them more money though? They fight where the money is.