Riku Kano vacates regional title
Earlier today it was announced that Japanese youngster Riku Kano (18-4-1, 9) [加納 陸] had officially vacated the WBO Asia Pacific Light Flyweight title, which he won in 2020 and successfully defended in 2021 with a TKO win over Takumi Sakae.
At the moment it's unclear what Kano's plan is, though it should be noted that he is the highest ranked contender by the WBO at 108lbs, and could find himself facing Jonathan Gonzalez for the WBO Light Flyweight title in the near future. He could, potentially, also move weight and interesting a move 3lbs south or 4lbs north could see him facing a Japanese fighter for a world title, with Masataka Taniguchi (15-3, 10) [谷口将隆] being the Minimumweight champion and Junto Nakatani (22-0, 17) [中谷 潤人] being the Flyweight champion. Given Japan's on going, and now very prolonged, fight with the pandemic, Kano may be offered either of those fights.
At the moments things aren't clear, but the 24 year old southpaw certainly has options and it'll be interesting to see what's next for the man who seemed to be groomed to be a star before several stumbles slowed his ascent. Despite his set backs he has bounced back well and now looks likely to get a second world title fight before the end of the year.
At the moment it's unclear what Kano's plan is, though it should be noted that he is the highest ranked contender by the WBO at 108lbs, and could find himself facing Jonathan Gonzalez for the WBO Light Flyweight title in the near future. He could, potentially, also move weight and interesting a move 3lbs south or 4lbs north could see him facing a Japanese fighter for a world title, with Masataka Taniguchi (15-3, 10) [谷口将隆] being the Minimumweight champion and Junto Nakatani (22-0, 17) [中谷 潤人] being the Flyweight champion. Given Japan's on going, and now very prolonged, fight with the pandemic, Kano may be offered either of those fights.
At the moments things aren't clear, but the 24 year old southpaw certainly has options and it'll be interesting to see what's next for the man who seemed to be groomed to be a star before several stumbles slowed his ascent. Despite his set backs he has bounced back well and now looks likely to get a second world title fight before the end of the year.