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The still relatively brief history of the strawweight division has yet to include an undisputed World champion, or any of its previous unified titlists retaining their titles – or even remaining in the division – for very long after accomplishing the feat.
Katsunari Takayama currently holds two major titles (IBF and WBO), both of which were obtained in a vacant title fight win over Go Odaira last New Year’s Eve in Japan. The bout followed his spirited but losing effort in a unification clash with Francisco Rodriguez Jr., with their 12-round war last summer registering as BoxingScene.com's 2014 Fight of the Year.
Now back in the title fray, the longtime top-ranked strawweight has been vocal in his desire to add belts to his collection, namely a clash with fellow titlist Hekkie Budler, who owns the WBA and IBO straps.
Fresh off of a win over Jesus Silvestre in a title defense last month in Monte Carlo, Budler has willingly addressed that challenge. He and his team now await a response.
“Silence yet again! Another toothless challenge against Budler! Is Takayama scared? The (World lineal strawweight championship) is vacant – let’s do it,” Rodney Berman, Budler’s promoter wrote in a direct response to Maio Ryohei, Takayama’s adviser, earlier this week. [Click Here To Read More]
Katsunari Takayama currently holds two major titles (IBF and WBO), both of which were obtained in a vacant title fight win over Go Odaira last New Year’s Eve in Japan. The bout followed his spirited but losing effort in a unification clash with Francisco Rodriguez Jr., with their 12-round war last summer registering as BoxingScene.com's 2014 Fight of the Year.
Now back in the title fray, the longtime top-ranked strawweight has been vocal in his desire to add belts to his collection, namely a clash with fellow titlist Hekkie Budler, who owns the WBA and IBO straps.
Fresh off of a win over Jesus Silvestre in a title defense last month in Monte Carlo, Budler has willingly addressed that challenge. He and his team now await a response.
“Silence yet again! Another toothless challenge against Budler! Is Takayama scared? The (World lineal strawweight championship) is vacant – let’s do it,” Rodney Berman, Budler’s promoter wrote in a direct response to Maio Ryohei, Takayama’s adviser, earlier this week. [Click Here To Read More]
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