Japan National Team vs Team World: Likely Riyadh Season Tournament

A December 27 card in Riyadh is being planned that would stage 10 matchups pitting Japanese fighters against opponents from other countries. The news was shared by Hideyuki Ohashi—former world champion and president of the Japan Pro Boxing Association.

Among Japan’s candidates: Junto Nakatani, Kenshiro Teraji, Yoshiki Takei, Andy Hiraoka, Yuta Sakai, Jin Sasaki, Hayato Tsutsumi, Reito Tsutsumi, and Naoya Inoue.

Opponents for the notional “Team World” have not yet been named, but this event could become the first formal country-vs-world team competition held under the Riyadh Season banner. Japan currently leads the way in the sport’s lightest weight classes.

Photo: Kyodo News