SINGAPORE - Undefeated WBA super world featherweight champion Chris John will defend his title against Shoji Kimura of Japan in May at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
Officials at the integrated resort, which includes a casino, hotel, museum, theatre and luxury shopping mall, said that the fight was booked for May 5 and would be held at the Sands expo and convention centre.
Indonesian John has a proud record of 46 wins and two draws from his 48 fights with 22 of those victories coming by knockout.
Undoubtedly talented, John has a victory over multiple-weight world champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on his resumé and will be the favourite to defend his title for the 16th time against his 34-year-old opponent, who has a 24-4-2 record.
Despite being revered at home, John has struggled for global recognition, having opted to fight mostly in Asia and resisting calls to have more bouts in the US. His last outing resulted in a unanimous points decision win over Ukrainian Stanyslav Merdov in a November bout in western Australia.
Kimura has fought most of his career at super bantamweight where he lost his one previous world title fight against Thailand's Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym in 2010.
John's WBA belt on the line against Kimura
SINGAPORE - Undefeated WBA super world featherweight champion Chris John will defend his title against Shoji Kimura of Japan in May at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
Officials at the integrated resort, which includes a casino, hotel, museum, theatre and luxury shopping mall, said that the fight was booked for May 5 and would be held at the Sands expo and convention centre.
Indonesian John has a proud record of 46 wins and two draws from his 48 fights with 22 of those victories coming by knockout.
Undoubtedly talented, John has a victory over multiple-weight world champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on his resumé and will be the favourite to defend his title for the 16th time against his 34-year-old opponent, who has a 24-4-2 record.
Despite being revered at home, John has struggled for global recognition, having opted to fight mostly in Asia and resisting calls to have more bouts in the US. His last outing resulted in a unanimous points decision win over Ukrainian Stanyslav Merdov in a November bout in western Australia.
Kimura has fought most of his career at super bantamweight where he lost his one previous world title fight against Thailand's Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym in 2010.
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