Sports
Pinay pug to challenge world champ in Japan
DAVAO CITY – Filipina boxer Norj Guro of Iligan City will be challenging reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) world female minimum weight champion Yuko Kuroki on June 6 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The 26-year-old Guro is now in her light training at the MP-Highlands Gym in Manila, according to her business manager Brico Santig of Highland Promotions.
Guro has a record of 7 wins, 5 loses, 1 draw with 4 knockouts while Kuroki is toting 15 wins, 4 loses, 1 draw with 7 KOs.
It will be Kuroki’s 4th title-defense of the crown she won from fellow Japanese Mari Ando via a unanimous decision last April 17, 2014 in Osaka, Japan.
The 25-year-old Japanese southpaw retained it by a split decision only against Katia Gutierrez of Mexico in her first title-defense on November 1, 2014 in Fukuoka, Japan.
Kuroka then beat another Japanese Masae Akitaya by a UD on April 9, 2015 in Osaka before stopping Thailand’s Kanittha Saknarong by a technical knockout in the 3rd round in their non-title fight on August 16 in Fukuoka.
In her third defense and previous fight, Kuroka beat Mexican Nancy Franco by a UD on December 20 at the Kyuden Gym in Fukuoka.
Guro, on the other hand, is coming from two back-to-back defeats from outside the country.
She first lost by a UD to Nao Ikeyama last February 28, 2015 in Osaka then bowed also by a UD to Mexican Jessica Chavez on April 11, 2015 in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Guro’s last victory was a UD against Rosemarie Cruz on April 22, 2014 at the Benguet State Univerity gym in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Guro fought but lost for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council female flyweight crown against Buakaew OnesongchaiGym by a UD last April 24, 2013 in Thailand.
She also dropped a UD to Hee Jung Yuh in their battle for the vacant International Female Boxers Association World super flyweight title held in Gimhae City, South Korea.