Masamichi Yabuki weighs two divisions after taking the IBF belt from Sivenathi Nontshinga
Last Saturday, Masamichi Yabuki held the junior flyweight title twice.
The hard hitting Japanese fighter scored three goals en route to a ninth round stoppage over Sivenathi Nontshinga to wrest the IBF title from the defending champion at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan.
“I feel very relieved to have defeated such a strong opponent,” Yabuki (17-4, 16 knockouts) told The Ring about Chisa Yamane.
The 32-year-old, who was 31/20 (+155) as the underdog, meaning he was given a 40 percent chance of winning, took his latest title in his stride.
“I didn’t do anything special to celebrate,” he said. “I just go see my sponsors and relax at the hotel.”
Congratulations to Masamichi Yabuki who stops Sivenathi Nontshinga in the 9th round to win the IBF World Light Flyweight Title! pic.twitter.com/yzTgfRT0t8
– Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 12, 2024
Yabuki is now ranked No. 1 by The Ring in junior flyweight. However, despite his high position, he is not arrogant.
“Of the fighters I know, I think it’s Carlos Cañizales [who will fight for the vacant WBC title against Panya Pradabsri] you are strong,” he said. “I’m sure there are other strong players that I don’t know about. I’m not overly confident.”
Yabuki was on top of the world when he stunned WBC 108-pound title holder Kenshiro Teraji (TKO 10) in September 2021 before his career took off.
“When I lost [the title back to Teraji in 2022] and I ruptured my Achilles tendon [in 2023]I thought about retiring,” he admitted. “But with the support of many people, I was able to continue to become the world champion.”
The next night Shokichi Iwata stopped Jairo Noriega (TKO 3) to win the vacant WBO title and talked about facing his country in the unification.
However, Yabuki isn’t sure if that’s what’s next or what’s on the agenda.
“I just saw it [some of] his games,” he said. “I think he’s a good fighter, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to make a match between two Japanese fighters. He also has to do a mandatory boxing match, so it doesn’t seem realistic yet.”
That doesn’t mean Yabuki isn’t looking to pursue the biggest and best opportunities he can find.
“I would like to move up to flyweight, but the flyweight division is very competitive,” he said. “I don’t know if I will get the chance. I want to increase my value, and I want to fight strong fighters who will increase my value. “
Interestingly, two Japanese fighters (Yabuki and WBO-ranked Shokichi Iwata) are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 is The Ring, which means that if they ever meet, they will compete again in the vacant Ring tournament.
His promoter, Koki Kameda, who once won the junior flyweight and flyweight world titles and now runs 3150 Fight Promotions, hopes to take his star forward boldly.
“I am very happy that three world champions have been born since my promotion, Ginjiro Shigeoka and Yudai Shigeoka, now Masamichi Yabuki has become the junior flyweight world champion against the most ranked junior flyweight champion,” he said proudly. “I’m very excited and looking forward to his career as we look at a lot of options, whether to move up to the mix or move up to flyweight.”
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