Strands of Supremacy: Shimomichi Vs. Dipaen Preview and Analysis
In Osaka, there are two men with links to the supreme, Naoya Inoue. They will collide.
Image Courtesy of Eight Count.
When people in the industry and wider fraternity discuss those at the highest heights of the sport, there are only a few figures in circulation.
Of course, Oleksandr Usyk (23-0) is frequently cited as the greatest fighter on the planet, whilst Terence Crawford (41-0) is also in the conversation.
The other, of course, is Naoya Inoue (29-0).
Throughout a purely historic run, ‘The Monster’ has ushered in a golden era for Japan on the world stage. Particularly in those lower weight divisions, Japan is the dominant nation.
In fact, their dominance is so pronounced almost every match up in these divisions can trace their links to some of the most revered figures.
Naoya Inoue, Junto Nakatani (30-0), Kenshiro Teraji (25-1) and Masamichi Yabuki (18-4), amongst others, have created a trail of destruction that features numerous men. Or, otherwise, victims.
Toshiki Shimomachi (20-1-3), the previous Japanese Boxing Commission Super-Bantamweight champion, rescinds his rights to pursue Inoue at the highest peak to transition to the featherweight division.
Ironically, an adversary of ‘The Monster’ will introduce Shimomachi to the 126lbs division; Aran Dipaen (20-3) of Thailand, known professionally as Kennakorn GPP Ruakaimook.
They meet on Tuesday 29th April at the EDION Arena Osaka, on a card hosted by Green Tsuda promotions. It also includes a variety of interesting domestic scraps.
Shimomachi Vs. Dipaen Preview
As a Japanese fighter in the super-bantamweight division, Toshiki Shimomachi was in prime position to assume a major role within the dynamic of the weight class.
The twenty-eight year old southpaw was introduced to the professional leagues in a rather middling manner, with three wins, one loss and one draw in his original five contests. However, seven more wins and another draw would build into a run that would procure the Youth variant of the national title.
Shimomachi’s successes as a fighter, particularly his keen reflexes and tall, lengthy range, were evident; he was able to win through technical knockout on numerous occasions, despite his power not being overly notable.
In his nineteenth contest, Shimomachi obtained a fringe world level competition through ten rounds against Jeo Santisima (25-8) of The Philippines. Santisima had been stopped in the eleventh by Emanuel Navarette (39-2-1) for the WBO World Super-Bantamweight title.
That was enough to highlight how tough the Filipino was. Unfortunately, toughness was not enough to win against Shimomachi, who was consistently more adept in reflexes, technicality and speed. The verdict was a unanimous decision over ten rounds of action.
Such as the perfection of the performance that Shimomachi was drafted as one of two men to contest the vacant super-bantamweight title on a national level. The other was Ryuto Owan (14-2), who came into recent acquisition of the WBO Global Featherweight title.
Shimomachi utilised his physical and technical attributes against the smaller Owan to select shots at a distance. Although Owan did manage to come into range and throw, it was deemed to be a unanimous verdict in favour of Shimomachi.
It can be watched on Youtube via user inko Sekisei.
After that, Shimomachi drew yet another draw; this time, against Toshiya Ishii (9-1-2). Known as a sparring partner of Naoya Inoue, a win over Ishii could’ve sent Shimomachi into the depths of the water that ‘The Monster’ navigates.
Instead, it was a draw; one that would stunt Shimomachi’s growth.
A fifth round knockout of Tulio Dekanarudo (8-3-2) appeared to steady matters, before two further appearances on Naoya Inoue cards failed to provide.
Against Misaki Hirano (11-2), the majority decision verdict was much closer that it could possibly suggest. Judge Akihiko Katsuragi actually scored the competition a 94-94 draw.
Stagnation.
It was becoming increasingly clear that Shimomachi was stagnating at the weight. Here, Shimomachi has more than a minor opportunity to rejuvenate matters in the featherweight division.
Aran Dipaen is a fighter who could set Shimomachi on a path towards collecting something of substance within the division, be it at a national, regional or even a fringe world level.
After all, the Thai fighter is, by all accounts, rather unheralded.
Despite a clear ability to punch running throughout his resume, there are inconsistencies. He was thoroughly outboxed by Zafar Parpiev (13-3) during an excursion to Russia, although Dipaen also overwhelmed Ryohei Arakawa (9-4-1) within the space of two rounds at Japan’s Korakuen Hall.
Whilst inconsistent, Dipaen can possibly be a challenge for some.
Dipaen won the Thai Super-Flyweight title, although he lost out on a visit to the United Kingdom for a minor WBC trinket. At bantamweight, the Thai fighter won the IBF Pan-Pacific title, one that would prove vital in his career.
A rather small man, Dipaen managed to sustain a bantamweight frame long enough to travel to Japan at the height of their COVID restrictions with one objective; dethrone the unified bantamweight supreme Naoya Inoue.
A monumental task.
Nigh impossible.
One that he would not complete.
Although, he did go eight rounds against the destructive Japanese marksman. Better than some. Not good enough.
It can be viewed on Youtube via Charles Salbox.
Since then, Dipaen has gone on an eight fight win streak, within the super-flyweight limit. Many of these have ended via knockout, although at a rather low level.
Another opportunity has arisen. One that might prove equally as impossible, but could provide numerous benefits.
Shimomachi Vs. Dipaen Analysis
Although, they do make for an interesting combination.
Shimomachi is a rather tall, rangey fighter; one that can deliver the uppercut both upstairs and downstairs. Such a shot is his favourite and most effective. It is probably the most vital shot that Shimomachi can use, especially if the speed and power transfers to featherweight.
That is the asterisk in this scenario:
Can Shimomachi successfully transfer to featherweight?
What aspects will carry from one weight to another?
At his very best, Shimomachi will be instinctively fast and agile, delivering shots with a particularly thoughtful prowess.
Throughout his previous competitions, however, Shimomachi has displayed a tendancy to become rather lax, particularly in moments when he believes that he has a fight won. This is a trait that is rather dangerous, especially as he approaches a particular level.
This is something that Dipaen, with his strength, could take advantage of throughout their ten round meeting.
However, there will be more going against the visitor.
Size is a major factor. At super-bantamweight, Shimomachi was as tall as a spire in a village of cottages; whilst at featherweight, he will also be taller than average.
Dipaen is a natural super-flyweight. Bantamweight was slightly uncomfortable, whilst super-bantamweight must be extremely difficult. Featherweight could be the ultimate push.
Can his power carry that far? Can he even deliver it?
Ultimately, it is a fight of questions and asterisks.
Both men are unfamiliar to the weight. Both men have different attributes that might not be as successful as they know them to be. Both men deliver inconsistent performances.
However, the advantages lie with Shimomachi and, as such, should be seen as the clear favourite. To what degree Shimomachi wins, however, is unknown - even to him.
Kanta Fukui Vs. Shinsei Otani
The co-feature of the night emanates from the super-featherweight division, where Kanta Fukui (12-6-1) and Shinsei Otani (10-2) meet over a distance of ten rounds.
Fukui, a thirty-one year old from Neyagawa, enters the competition with rankings from both the JBC and the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation, after losing to Tsubasa Narai (15-2) for his Japanese Super-Featherweight title.
A physically strong fighter, his losses belie his talent; after all, Narai is a great fighter and Fukui went the distance. Previous Japanese Featherweight titleist Ryo Segawa (13-5) also lost to Fukui via stoppage.
Otani, however, will be hungry. The twenty-four year old will have the substantial edge in youth and vitality, bolstered by his ability to punch.
Only two losses feature on his record, with one being in a contest for the Youth variant of the super-featherweight title. Otani is also large, having fought in the realms of lightweight on previous occasions.
Together, they should prove electric.
As men who have something to prove often do.
Whilst the outcome might be unpredictable, the method certainly isn’t; this is likely to produce a stoppage of some sort. A win here could put either man in pole position for a title challenge at national level.
Hyogo Kimura Vs. Daisuke Sudo
At light-flyweight, Hyogo Kimura (9-5-2) looks to steady matters in a contest against Daisuke Sudo (7-10-3), intended for eight rounds of combat.
Kimura is something of an oddity; inconsistent in spots but definitely not a terrible fighter, by any means. However, he lost via stoppage to minimumweight prospect Goki Kobayashi (8-2) prior to this encounter.
Light-flyweight might be a change that Kimura needs, although the weight class has already given him some draws and losses.
Not as many as Daisuke Sudo, however, who enters this competition on a four fight losing streak. Whilst Japan typically shuns the archetype of the journeyman, Sudo might be close to it.
Throughout a twenty-one fight saga, Sudo has not scored a single KO. In conjunction with that, he has not won more than three fights in a row.
Whilst at a particular level, this should see Kimura win comfortably. If not, there might be issues breaching into the national scene.
Kakeru Mio Vs. Hummer Taku
Within the realms of the super-featherweight division, Kakeru Mio (6-5) and Hummer Taku (4-6-1) are pencilled in for six shared rounds of competition.
With the competition not that of a high level.
Both men have somewhat found a ceiling already, with both having induced less losses than suffered.
Mio lost in the opening round against Kanta Fukui, another victim of his hardened hands. Taku has also lost via knockout numerous times before.
Thus, if there is one thing to be suggested here, it is that someone will taste the canvas. Which is always a treat, from the perspective of a fan.
Shota Tashita Vs. Thikikorn Ratanakun
A bout of significant interest, Shota Tashita (5-0), the winner of the 2024 All Japan Rookie of the Year, features at super-lightweight as the southpaw proceeds into six rounds for the first time.
After a remarkable introduction to the professional circuit, Tashita will want to carry momentum, pace and translate that into a potential crack at the national title.
However, Tashita will need to overcome obstacles if that is the objective; the twenty-year old visitor from Thailand will give Tashita a taste of what foreign opposition can bring to the ring.
The Rookie of the Year is already within the top fifteen in the country, given his performances in the tournament, and his rather gifted. Notably, he has a peach of a right hook, one that should be able to produce the stoppage against Ratanakun, who has been finished by lesser opposition previously.
Suguru Urasaki Vs. Takeshi Yamaguchi
Super-flyweight also claims a quadrant of four rounds, when Suguru Urasaki (4-2) hopes to rebound from a loss against novice Takeshi Yamaguchi (0-1).
After being introduced to the professional depths of the sport with a UD loss against Kyoshiro Nagai (5-2), Urasaki won a stretch of four contests against lesser opposition. Eventually, another attempt at a change in competition, against Junta Shiraki (6-3-1), again resulted in loss.
So, it is clearly back to winning against subpar opposition for Urasaki in what might be the least exciting venture on the card. Nevertheless, the one piece of knowledge we have about Yamaguchi is that he is vulnerable, which might make for entertainment.
Kosuke Yoshizaki Vs. Yuma Fujimoto
Kosuke Yoshizaki (3-1) appears to make a bid at developing the sort of win streak that translates to national title opportunity, with a brief four round competition against Yuma Fujimoto (1-3).
A tight and competitive division at the national level, Yoshizaki is a twenty-two year old southpaw local from Osaka who will want to strive for the top. He should be able to do so with ease, given Fujimoto’s own level.
It might be a difficult one, with both men fighting from the southpaw stance. Either way, it seems more than likely that Yoshizaki will claim a decision here.
Kenshin Takaoka Vs. Fumito Sugioka
Yet another southpaw from Osaka takes to the card, with debutant Kenshin Takaoka entering the bantamweight mix with a four rounder against Fumito Sugioka (0-1).
Again, these men are both southpaws and that will immediately give Takaoka something of an abrupt entry to the sphere of professional boxing.
Sugioka has only one competition to his credit; a TKO loss in the final round of a four stanza contest against another debutant in Yusei Kozu (1-0).
That might not be enough experience to pose a threat against Takaoka, although it is yet to be seen what kind of fighter Takaoka will be; a rather interesting predicament.
Our Prediction: Toshiki Shimamochi W-UD10 Aran Dipaen