Kyotaro Fujimoto is apparently slated to face Solomon Haumono on NYE in Osaka

Kyotaro-Haumono for vacant OPBF heavyweight belt

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten Japanese heavyweight prospect, WBC#15 Kyotaro Fujimoto (5-0, 3 KOs) will participate in an adventurous OPBF heavyweight elimination bout with more experienced Australian Solomon Haumono (19-1-2, 17 KOs) in Osaka, Japan, on the last day of this year. It will be a supporting event to the WBA 108-pound and 105-pound elimination bouts between Kazuto Ioka and Jose Rodriguez and between Ryo Miyazaki and Pornsawan Porpramook respectively.

Kyotaro, formerly a MMA star who turned into the international style fighting last year, decked an upset victory over WBC rated Chauncy Welliver, a switch-hitting Australian, by a unanimous nod in Tokyo this September. The Japanese heavyweight speedster, eleven years his junior at 26, is shorter by two inches and lighter by more than ten pounds than Haumono, but probably faster on hand and foot.

The OPBF heavyweight throne has been vacant for a long time, but this elimination bout will see the new regional champ to activate the OPBF heaviest category. Haumono, formerly a well-known rugby player as well as the son of ex-Australian heavy champ Maile Haumono, might be favored to win the OPBF belt thanks to his superior career, but Kyotaro apparently has an edge of youth and speed. It will be a crucial test for Kyotaro’s future.