Ever since turning professional, the Shigeoka brothers have been tipped for world title glory and both minimumweights came of age on the very same October 7 card in Tokyo.
Yudai Shigeoka won the WBC title by outpointing long-reigning champion Petchmanee CP Freshmart of Thailand. It was a tactical battle and the Japanese star had the edge throughout, as evidenced by the lopsided scorecards in his favour.
Ginjiro Shigeoka was equally dominant in scoring a fifth-round stoppage over Daniel Valladares to lift the IBF crown. The pair had fought to an unsatisfactory three-round no-contest in January 2023 and this result confirmed Shigeoka’s overwhelming superiority.
However, despite their signature triumphs, neither man has taken the top spot at 105 pounds. That still belongs to Thailand’s unbeaten Knockout CP Freshmart.
Minimumweight rankings: The Sporting News’ top 12
Rank | Fighter | Titles | Record | Movement (Jan. 2) |
1 | Knockout CP Freshmart | WBA | 24-0 (9 KOs) |
– |
2 | Yudai Shigeoka | WBC | 8-0 (5 KOs) |
– |
3 | Ginjiro Shigeoka | IBF | 10-0 (8 KOs) |
– |
4 | Petchmanee CP Freshmart | 40-2 (24 KOs) |
– | |
5 | Oscar Collazo | WBO | 8-0 (6 KOs) |
– |
6 | Melvin Jerusalem | 21-3 (12 KOs) |
– | |
7 | Rene Mark Cuarto | 21-4-2 (14 KOs) |
– | |
8 | Wilfredo Mendez | 18-3-1 (6 KOs) |
– | |
9 | Erick Rosa | 6-0 (2 KOs) | – | |
10 | Daniel Valladares | 27-4-1 (15 KOs) |
– | |
11 | Pedro Taduran | 16-4-1 (12 KOs) |
– | |
12 | Joey Canoy | 20-5-2 (12 KOs) |
– |
The best in the world at minimumweight: Knockout CP Freshmart
Knockout CP Freshmart, A.K.A. Thammanoon Niyomtrong, is the longest-reigning world titleholder in boxing today.
The 33-year-old from Surin, Thailand, captured the WBC championship at the expense of Byron Rojas in June 2016 and has made 11 successful defenses. Signature wins have come against Robert Paradero, Chayaphon Moonsri and Rojas in a rematch.
The Sporting News’ Boxing Ratings
Rules | Men’s P4P | Women’s P4P
Heavyweight | Cruiserweight | Super Middleweight | Super Lightweight | Lightweight | Super Featherweight | Featherweight | Light Flyweight | Minimumweight