Battle for Super Featherweight Supremacy: Puerto Rico vs. Japan

Long have Japanese prizefighters dominated in the super featherweight division (aka junior lightweight) division. Whatever it’s called, the 130-pound division has been a stronghold for Japan.

But if you look closely it’s also been a favorite division for Puerto Rico.

When undefeated Christopher Diaz (23-0, 15 KOs) of Puerto Rico meets Japan’s Masayuki Ito (23-1-1) for the vacant WBO super featherweight title on Saturday July 28, in Kissimmee, Florida, expect titanic exchanges for as long as it lasts. The Top Rank clash will be televised by ESPN+.

Masayuki, 27, was born and raised in Tokyo in the shadows of the famous Korakuen Hall. It’s a venue where some of Japan’s greatest warriors have performed, Masayuki included.

Just recently Takashi Miura retired ending a career that saw him involved in Fight of the Year clashes with Sergio Thompson and Francisco Vargas. Takashi Uchiyama is another who reigned in the super featherweight division for five years dominating all comers. Both Miura and Uchiyama have since retired.

Despite the two great warriors retirement, many more super featherweights from Japan remain including Kenichi Ogawa, Reiya Abe, and Masaru Sueyoshi to name a few. Ogawa will be fighting for the IBF title later this year.

This is Ito’s first world title attempt and if you know anything about Japanese fighters they are not going to quit. It’s just not in their DNA.

“I promise I’ll show a very good fight on Saturday night,” said Ito who is also fighting for the first time outside of Japan.

The lanky fighter has 12 knockouts so far in a career that began in 2009. His only loss was against Rikki Naito by majority decision. Ito can fight.

Diaz, 23, is keenly aware of Japan’s historical grip on the division.

“I know Ito is a great fighter. I’ve been working for 15 years for this opportunity,” said Diaz who hails from Barranquitas, Puerto Rico.

The Boricua will be walking in confidently with a stretch of four consecutive knockout wins under his belt and against solid opposition.

Diaz will be walking in the boxing ring following in the footsteps of a number of Puerto Rican world champions like Juanma Lopez, Alfredo Escalera, Samuel Serrano, and Wilfredo Gomez one of the greatest Puerto Rican fighters of all time.

“Bazooka” Gomez won world titles in the super bantamweight, featherweight and then super featherweight divisions in his spectacular career that spanned from 1974 to 1989. The knockout artist from Santurce was a television favorite for boxing fans.

Can Diaz follow in the footsteps of the great Puerto Rican fighters in the super featherweight class?

“(My fans) know that I always make a war. I know Masayuki Ito is going to come to give me a war. That’s the kind of fight that I want for the fans,” said Diaz.

Puerto Rico versus Japan is going to deliver.

Welterweight Showdown

On the undercard, San Bernardino’s Artemio Reyes (25-2, 20 KOs) clashes with Brooklyn’s Gabriel Bracero (24-3-1, 5 KOs) in a welterweight clash set for 10 rounds.

Reyes, 31, spent almost three years on the shelf after suffering injuries and at one time was knocking on the door of a world title bout. Though he’s only had two fights to shake off the dust of inactivity, his lanky frame is capable of delivering knockouts.

“I’m willing and able to fight anybody who is willing to step in the ring with me. I’m going to go out there and get the victory,” said Reyes. “I know (Bracero) is a tough fighter. These short-notice opponents are always the toughest because we were studying for one style and now they’re coming with a different style. But, nonetheless, we’re ready to go.”

Bracero, 37, was just recently added to replace Dominican fighter Carlos Adames who was injured while training.

“It was a last-minute call. I took the fight on maybe seven, eight days’ notice. But the good part about it was, I was just in training camp. I’ve been in training camp for the past six weeks,” said Bracero who sparred with both Robert Easter and Devon Alexander. “So, when I got this call at the last minute, I was all in.”

At 30-plus years of age, both fighters are at a pivotal moment. Who will move on?

The opening streamed fight card begins at 6:30 p.m. PT/ 9:30 p.m. ET. 

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