By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
A great many press people, television cameras and people concerned gathered to cover a press conference of the forthcoming world title tripleheader today (Saturday) in Tokyo, Japan. The respective comments were as follows:
Bob Arum (co-promoter of Ryota Murata): My presence here will be a good sign for his victory as all my previous visits in Japan resulted in his fine victories.
Robert Diaz (representative of Steven Butler under Golden Boy Promotions): Murata selected a very dangerous challenger in Butler, who will win his belt.
Ryota Murata: I had a successful and satisfactory training camp, and the fight result will prove show that without doubt.
Steven Butler: I also had a good training camp, and believe I will defeat Murata and bring the belt to Canada.
Moruti Mthalane: I have been undefeated for the last ten years, and I’ll be the one that is victorious.
Akira Yaegashi: I always like to fight with the spirit of a challenger. I’ll do so and will capture the belt from the champion.
Kenshiro Teraji: I’ll fight with my usual strategy of punching without getting hit, and will win by a knockout if my counterpunch catches him with good timing.
Randy Petalcorin: The champion is a good boxer, but I am happy to be able to fight for the world belt again. I’ll win.
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (who will make a comeback underneath after a fifteen-month hiatus): Having trained hard for four months, I will show my talent again to people here.
The officials are as follows:
WBA middleweight title bout: Murata vs. Butler
Referee Rafael Ramos (US); judges Raul Caiz Sr. (US), Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand), Ignacio Robles (Panama); supervisor Renzo Bagnariol (Nicaragua).
IBF flyweight title bout: Mthalane vs. Yaegashi
Referee Mario Gonzalez (Argentina); judges Deon Dwarte (South Africa), Jonathan Davis (Philippines), Kazutoshi Yoshida (Japan); supervisor Anibal Miramontes (US).
WBC light flyweight title bout: Teraji vs. Petalcorin
Referee Frank Garza (US), judges Nathan Palmar (US), Malcolm Bulner (Australia), Jang-Soung Kim (Korea); supervisors In-Kyun Lee and Major Lee (both Korea)
Tomorrow there will be the weigh-in ceremony at 1PM.
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