Why are Japanese fighters so reluctant to travel?

[The Big Dunn]

It doesn't make financial sense to do so, in nearly all cases

However, if Walters doesn't back away from a proposed fight, you might see Japan's best fighter in Vegas pretty soon

Fat Dan said that fight wasn't as close as HBO suggested. do you know if this is true?

[The Gambler1981]

Japan is the place that pays best for those small weight classes, if someone is already in the best paying spot why give that up unless you have to like the Kameda brothers. It is not an impediment to them making good fights because other small guys get paid pretty well also.

[soul_survivor]

Fat Dan said that fight wasn't as close as HBO suggested. do you know if this is true?

I'm thinking it's far from a certain thing too, simply because Uchiyama is just making his return from injury and Walters didn't look anywhere near his best last couple fights.

[D-MiZe]

Only recently have British fighters started to travel more regularly and that reason is the PBC money that's been thrown around

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.

[techliam]

Fat Dan said that fight wasn't as close as HBO suggested. do you know if this is true?

On Uchiyama's side, theres nothing stopping the fight (barring injury during the New Years fight, which isn't farfetched). Takashi has wanted a big US fight, and his gym (Watanabe) isn't nearly as big or as exclusive as others like Teiken, so the relationship with TR/HBO isn't an issue. We must remember this is the tail-end of his career now, he needs it soon

Walters only fight at 130 resulted in an absurd draw, but a draw hasn't put him in the top 15 in the WBA 130lb rankings. But its the WBA, so..

I don't know much about Walters and HBO/TR, and their plans. I heard rumblings that Walters' time with Top Rank might be over soon? I'm not sure thats true

[The Big Dunn]

I'm thinking it's far from a certain thing too, simply because Uchiyama is just making his return from injury and Walters didn't look anywhere near his best last couple fights.

On Uchiyama's side, theres nothing stopping the fight (barring injury during the New Years fight, which isn't farfetched). Takashi has wanted a big US fight, and his gym (Watanabe) isn't nearly as big or as exclusive as others like Teiken, so the relationship with TR/HBO isn't an issue. We must remember this is the tail-end of his career now, he needs it soon

Walters only fight at 130 resulted in an absurd draw, but a draw hasn't put him in the top 15 in the WBA 130lb rankings. But its the WBA, so..

I don't know much about Walters and HBO/TR, and their plans. I heard rumblings that Walters' time with Top Rank might be over soon? I'm not sure thats true

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.

[US Dirk Killer]

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.

[GrandpaBernard]

Traveling should be required when the best opponents are in a different country and that nation is better for boxing.

This is why I respect Mexican fighters. They down to scrap in the US unlike brits who stay domesticated like a housewife

[BattleAxePurist]

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

[Kenchiro]

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