By Nate Estrada: Among the great boxers American audiences get to see on national networks, we have yet to see the arrival of several international boxers who deserve their American debut. Whether it’s on HBO, Showtime or the growing PBC, fans are still missing out on great fighters to watch.
Let alone the champions overseas who definitely deserve the spotlight. One boxer in particular is Japan’s very own WBA super featherweight champion, Takashi Uchiyama aka ‘KO Dynamite’ (24-0-1 20 KOs).
Uchiyama won the super featherweight title against Juan Carlos Salgado on January 11, 2010 with a TKO in the twelfth round. Ever since then, he has defended it 11 times. Most recently, he defended the belt against little known Oliver Flores and won with a vicious liver shot in the third round to get the TKO victory. Clearly, his one punch power is a statement to the super featherweight division.
At the age of 36, his time is running as he knows it and what the hardcore boxing fans would love to see is him fight against the elite fighters in his division. He has been a professional boxer since 2005, yet has to land a fight against a well-known fighter. Since winning on New Years Eve not too long ago, speculations of a fight against former featherweight champion Nicholas ‘The Axe Man’ Walters (26-0-1 21 KOs) has been brought up, but no deal has been signed according to Uchiyama. Even better, Uchiyama’s team has called him out to fight. Something the boxing game needs more often.
So far, no news has been brought up of this possible fight that could happen early in the spring of 2016. In the mean time, we could only hope Uchiyama’s next opponent is someone well known while hopefully coming to American soil and making his debut on a national network. While the clock is ticking, it makes sense for him to try to unify titles against the other super feather weight champions: Francisco Vargas (WBC), Roman Martinez (WBO) or even Jose Pedraza (IBF). Believe it or not, I see a better matchup for Uchiyama in a rematch with fellow countryman and former WBC champion Takashi Miura (29-3-2 22 KOs).
Uchiyama and Miura first fought in early 2011 in a dramatic showdown. Most may have not seen the fight since it took place in Tokyo and wasn’t televised in America. Uchiyama getting knocked down in the third round and obtaining a cut above his right eye, still managed to win the fight by doing enough damage to Miura’s face and having his corner to stop the fight after 8 rounds. It was nothing but mutual respect from both fighters afterwards as well as dominance moving forward in their careers.
Without a doubt Miura has won an American fan base when he fought and lost the WBC super featherweight title to Francisco ‘El Bandido’ Vargas (23-0-1 17KOs) in the co-feature of the Cotto Canelo mega fight in November 2015. Respectively earning a Fight of The Year nominee. Since it was Miura’s U.S. debut, it only seems right the other Japanese champion, Uchiyama, should get his U.S. debut too. Also why not against Miura? A continuation from their first great fight can give Miura the redemption needed, that’s if a Vargas rematch doesn’t happen. For Uchiyama, he can finally show his power and dominance to American audiences.
Both Japanese fighters have shown grit and knockout power, which is something worthy to watch on an American network as we all love. The battle of the Takashi’s
in a rematch will definitely go in a different way than in their first fight. One is relentless in moving forward, the other fighter has the one punch KO power. Styles makes fights do they not? Both experienced, we may see a more brutal showcase of will, determination and power from these two. It may also discuss, who is Japan’s best super featherweight?
Whether this happens or not, as well as the Walters matchup making a U.S. debut also, who else would you like to see Takashi Uchiyama fight next?
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