Two Filipino fighters stand to become world minimumweight champions on the same night on 31 March in Japan.
Melvin Jerusalem and Ar-Ar Andales have been tabbed to fight for world crowns at the International Conference Hall in Nagoya.
Jerusalem faces Yudai Shigeoka for the World Boxing Council strap while Andales meets Ginjiro Shigeoka for the International Boxing Federation belt.
These fights will happen a little over a month before Jerwin Ancajas vies for the World Boxing Association bantamweight diadem on 24 February in Tokyo.
“Crazy how many fights are scheduled in Japan,” American dealmaker Sean Gibbons, whose influence and connections enable Filipino boxers to secure world title tries.
Just before the end of 2023, Marlon Tapales fought for the undisputed super-bantamweight title in Tokyo.
Though the Philippines doesn’t have a reigning world champion, Gibbons feels 2024 promises to deliver big time.
Also down the road are the impending title shots of Reymart Gaballo, Vincent Astrolabio, Christian Araneta, Pedro Taduran, Mark Magsayo and Carl Jammes Martin, all aligned with Gibbons, who runs not only MP Promotions but likewise Viva Promotions, an outfit being manned by his son Brendan.
