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Strawweight contender Ginjiro Shigeoka. Photo by Naoki Fukuda
IBF strawweight titleholder Daniel Valladares had been scheduled to face Ginjiro Shigeoka in a rematch on August 11. However, Shigeoka suffered a leg injury forcing the contest to be postponed. The new target date is October 7
The two initially met on January 6, where a head-clash left the defending champion unable to continue in the third round, rendering the bout a no-contest. The cut wasn’t fully healed for a projected spring rematch, leading to the August date that has now moved back two months.
Valladares (26-3-1, 15 knockouts and 1 no-contest), who is rated No. 7 by The Ring at 105 pounds, won his first 11 fights before he was out-hustled by journeyman Genaro Rios (MD 8). He rebounded to score a pair of impressive wins over former WBO strawweight titlist Merlito Sabillo (TKO 7) and snapped Christian Araneta’s unbeaten record (RTD 4).
The Mexican’s fight with then-IBF beltholder Pedro Taduran was shaping up nicely when he was cut, and the contest ended in a technical draw. The 28-year-old lost his way, losing back-to-back fights before righting the ship and edging past Rene Mark Cuarto (SD 12) to claim the IBF title.
Shigeoka (9-0, 7 KOs and 1 no-contest), who is rated No. 5 by The Ring, lost just once in his amateur career but it wasn’t a conventional loss. The defeat came against his elder brother, Yudai, in the final of the Kumamoto prefecture final. Both brothers, their father, and their coach agreed that the bout should not take place and it was decided that Ginjiro would not fight. As soon as the opening bell rang, his corner threw in the towel.
Shigeoka has continued to impress since turning pro in September 2018. He notably stopped former world title challenger Rey Loreto (KO 5). Had it not been for the pandemic – he didn’t fight for 18-months – the diminutive 23-year-old southpaw may have already won a world title. After the Valladares fight, he impressively defeated Rene Mark Cuarto (TKO 9).
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