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Monday, March 10, 2003
Castañares: Japan title shot is the chance I have been waiting for
By Rommel C. Manlosa
FILIPINO champion Dindo “Diesel” Castañares is gearing towards the biggest step of his young career when he fights in the Akihiko Honda’ Teiken Promotions Inc. triple header on April 26 at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena in Tokyo.
Castañares finally gets the chance to challenge OPBF junior welterweight champion Masakazu Satake in a 12-round affair, below Mexican WBC super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios’ defense of his belt against the ambitious hard-puncher Shigeru Nakazato of Japan.
The other main event is another OPBF championship between Manabu Fukushima and Korean champion and No.1 contender Jaekwon Chung for the vacant 122 pounds.
Vacant crown
Nakazato vacated the regional belt to gain the right to challenge Larios for the world title – giving Fukushima, who lost to Larios in August last year, a chance to regain his OPBF title that he also vacated when he challenged Larios.
The promotion will give Castañares good ground going into his dream entry into the world arena as a victory would mean breaking into the top 10 of the WBC 140lb division.
Currently, Satake, who has 17 wins, including 10 by knockout, against two losses and four draws, is rated No.10 while the undefeated Castañares, 12-0-1 with nine wins in short distance, is looking for a faster route to make it to the world ranking.
Best shot
“I have been waiting for this chance. Now that I have this, rest assured I’ll give it my very best. If ever I’ll lose, I’ll also make it sure Satake will be in a tough situation also,” said Castañares.
Satake trained at the ALA Gym for two weeks prior to his first title defense, giving the Castañares camp a chance to scout the opponent better.
It will be a big risk for Satake, who has been eluding the Filipino brawler for almost a year since Castañares got to the top of the rankings.
Castañares will earn $4,000 for the fight, while Satake will reportedly receive $10,000.
(March 10, 2003 issue)
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