Linares meets Larios in Vegas!

May 25, 2007

By Joe Koizumi

Akihiko Honda's Teiken Promotions Inc. has announced that "El Nino de Oro (Golden Boy)" Jorge Linares (23-0, 14 KOs), a Venezuelan living in Tokyo, will face ex-WBC 122-pound champ Oscar Larios, Mexico, in a quest for the WBC interim feather belt at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, on July 21. It will take place underneath the Bernard Hopkins-Ronald Wright showdown.

The 21-year-old Linares, after an excellent 145-5 amateur mark, came to Japan to make a professional debut here at the age of seventeen under Teiken Promotions in December 2002. He grew up soundly to continue his winning streak and beat up everybody he faced. Linares, a stylish hard-hitting boxer, experienced fighting out of Japan, as he defeated Hugo Rafael Soto and Jesus Perez in Venezuela, Rafael Castillo in Panama, Jean Javier Sotelo in Argentina and Denchai Sor Tiebkoon in Korea. Linares was also victorious in all other 18 bouts in Japan.

Linares, very popular in Japan due to his strength and fluent Japanese speaking as well, replied to all questions in Japanese to show his linguistic ability. The Venezuelan prospect may become a second Pacquiao to produce a sensation in the US if he convincingly defeats the more experienced Larios in a big promotion in Las Vegas.

Teiken has also announced that Japanese feather champ Takahiro Aoh (14-0, 8 KOs), will take on Keisuke Akiba (10-3-2, 2 KOs) in his first defense in Tokyo on July 7. WBC#11/WBA#12 ranked Aoh, formerly six-time high school champ, is also a highly expected prospect.