Why are Japanese fighters so reluctant to travel?
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The best fighters in the weight classes Americans commonly compete in are also based in America
if the best fighters often don't fight in America, I'd give the American guys flack for not going abroadComment
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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.Comment
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But you're right, the examples are very few and far betweenComment
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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.Comment
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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.Comment
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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.Comment
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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.Comment
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