Sumabong ready to challenge Japanese opponent for WBO regional title

By: Glendale G. Rosal – 2 minutes ago

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Boholano prospect Joseph Sumabong of Black Snake Boxing Gym is ready for his first fight in Japan.

He reached contracted weight for his scheduled World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific minimumweight title clash against defending champion Goki Kobayashi on Sunday, June 23 at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan. Japan.

Sumabong and Kobayashi both weighed in at 105 pounds at Saturday’s official weigh-in for their 10-round bout in a fight card backed by Shensei Promotions.

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This will be the first fight in Japan for Sumabong, 22, who is undefeated in six fights with three knockouts.

The last time he fought, he won the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Australasian minimumweight title against compatriot Erson Trinidad by unanimous decision in the undercard of “Kumong Bol-anon XII” in his hometown of Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

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This time, he will try his luck in the highly competitive Japanese boxing scene against Kobayashi, the current No. 10 minimumweight contender in the WBO.

Kobayashi, like Sumabong, has a relatively young professional track record. Kobayashi, 25, is 7-1 (win-loss) with five knockouts. He won the WBO regional title against fellow Japanese Yuri Kanaya last February in Tokyo by third-round technical knockout (TKO).

His only loss was against another Boholano, Jake “El Bambino” Amparo of PMI Bohol Boxing Stable in 2023. Amparo stunned Kobayashi after winning by unanimous decision the same WBO regional title the latter is currently defending.

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