The weigh-in for “Lemino BOXING Phoenix Battle 156” took place in Tokyo on May 11, ahead of the event scheduled for May 12 at Korakuen Hall. In the quarterfinals of the Phoenix Battle Super Featherweight (under 58.9kg) 10 million yen tournament, former Japanese and WBO Asia Pacific featherweight champion Keisuke Matsumoto (26, Ohashi) and Japanese seventh-ranked Ryuo (28, Kakumai House) both made weight at the 58.9kg limit.
Matsumoto failed to make weight for his fifth Japanese title defense in March last year, resulting in a one-year suspension from the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC). This fight marks his return after 1 year and 7 months since his second-round KO victory over Kimihiro Nakagawa (Watanabe) in October 2024. Having successfully made weight, Matsumoto commented, “The fight itself is scheduled, but I don’t feel like it’s been that long. I feel nostalgic for this sensation of being able to fight again, and I also feel that I haven’t lost much sharpness.”
For his return at super featherweight, one division higher, Matsumoto traveled alone to the United States for about a month starting last September, undergoing a training camp and focusing on sparring. Unlike his featherweight days when he began cutting weight one and a half to two months before a fight, this time he methodically reduced weight over four months. “I’ve been very careful with my preparation this time, so my physical condition is excellent. If that translates into good movement, I think that will be even better. I want to stay focused until the end and recover properly as well,” he said, staying cautious.
Matsumoto had been a highly touted prospect since before his professional debut, frequently featured on Fuji TV’s “Mirai★Monster.” Training alongside his father, former OPBF and Japanese featherweight champion Koji Matsumoto, he won the U-15 national championship five times. On May 13 last year, his wife Saya gave birth to their first daughter. “I caused trouble for so many people and received a lot of worried messages. Above all, I inconvenienced my family and wife because I couldn’t fight for a year. During this period, my child was born, and she turns one tomorrow. I have a strong motivation for the sake of my growing child,” he declared.
His opponent Ryuo is riding momentum after defeating Kazuki Iwasaki (Katsuki) by sixth-round TKO in the first round of the tournament in February. During the face-off after the weigh-in, Ryuo stood close to Matsumoto and glared at him. “I think he has prepared well. I could feel that coming from him,” Ryuo said of his impression. “From here on, every fight is like a final. There’s a 1 million yen prize for the winner, but we’ll see who deserves it. I can’t wait for this fight. I’ll fight my style, and I think it will be a fierce battle,” he added with fighting spirit.
Matsumoto has a record of 12 wins all by KO (8 KOs), while Ryuo stands at 12 wins (7 KOs), 3 losses, and 1 draw.
The full fight card for the event is as follows:
– Japanese super bantamweight title match, 10 rounds: Champion Jun Ikegawa (Kakumai House, 9 wins, 3 KOs, 1 loss, 3 draws) vs. 10th-ranked Kensin Oshima (KOD, 9 wins, 5 KOs, 4 losses, 1 draw)
– Super featherweight 10 million yen tournament quarterfinal, 8 rounds: Keisuke Matsumoto (Ohashi, 12 wins, 8 KOs) vs. Japanese 7th-ranked Ryuo (Kakumai House, 12 wins, 7 KOs, 3 losses, 1 draw)
– Super featherweight 10 million yen tournament quarterfinal, 8 rounds: Japanese 3rd-ranked Kai Watanabe (Lions, 16 wins, 10 KOs, 3 losses, 1 draw) vs. Japanese 14th-ranked Eigo (KOD, 6 wins, 2 KOs, 1 loss)
– Super featherweight 10 million yen tournament quarterfinal, 8 rounds: Japanese 9th-ranked Kanta Fukui (Ishida, 14 wins, 8 KOs, 7 losses, 1 draw) vs. Japanese 2nd-ranked Riku Kigi (KG Yamato, 10 wins, 5 KOs, 3 losses)
– Minimumweight, 6 rounds: Ryuta Tokoro (DANGAN, 1 win, 1 KO) vs. John Dominic Ledres (Philippines, 4 wins, 2 KOs, 2 losses)
– Super bantamweight, 4 rounds: Ryuya Matsumoto (Kyoei, 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw) vs. Yuki Konfu (DANGAN Koriyama, 2 losses)
