YOKOHAMA, Japan -- There usually isn't televised boxing on Sunday, especially not at eight in the morning, but there will be on April 15 on ESPN2. The fight will pit Japan's Ryota Murata (13-1, 10 KOs) against Italy's Emanuele Felice Blandamura (27-2, 5 KOs). On the line will be Murata's WBA "Regular" world middleweight title.
Murata didn't turn professional until his mid 20s after winning a gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics. He earned his first title shot in 2017 against Hassan N'Dam but lost a split decision. He was able to win his first title just five months later in a rematch when N'Dam retired in his corner after the seventh round. April 15 will be Murata's first defense of his middleweight title.
Fighting out of Japan, Murata works out of the orthodox stance and like many of his countrymen he likes to exchange plenty of leather. He works behind a heavy jab and isn't a very busy puncher, instead relying on his heavy hands to win fights. Occasionally Murata will bang left hooks to the body but he does most of his best work with a heavy right hand and that will be the punch Blandamura will need to watch out for.
Many fans have probably never seen Blandamura fight. He has spent most of his career fighting in his native Italy and the now 38-year-old didn't have his first big fight until 2014 when he lost his shot at a European title to Billy Joe Saunders. His other notable fight came a year later against Michel Soro, which resulted in another loss.
Blandamura is an orthodox fighter with an awkward style. He often seems to have a nervous energy and likes to use his jab as a measuring stick. That jab helps him set up his left hook and right hand but he has very little power and probably won't be able to hurt Murata. Another bad sign for Blandamura is the fact that both of his career losses have been by the way of knockout and Murata is a power puncher.
It is hard to believe that Blandamura is getting a title shot since he doesn't have any wins over a truly notable opponent. His awkward style and nervous energy could give Murata some problems early but as an Olympic gold medalist, Murata has seen it all. Bladamura doesn't have much punching power and and his chin isn't great so the heavy hitting Murata should have a fairly easy time in his first title defense.
PREDICTION: Ryota Murata won't have many problems against Emanuele Felice Blandamura. Blandamura just doesn't have the same level of skills as Murata and that should be clear from the start. The fight will last more than a few rounds but Murata will knock Blandamura out in the sixth round.
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| Murata landing a left hook on Hassan N'Dam |
Fighting out of Japan, Murata works out of the orthodox stance and like many of his countrymen he likes to exchange plenty of leather. He works behind a heavy jab and isn't a very busy puncher, instead relying on his heavy hands to win fights. Occasionally Murata will bang left hooks to the body but he does most of his best work with a heavy right hand and that will be the punch Blandamura will need to watch out for.
Many fans have probably never seen Blandamura fight. He has spent most of his career fighting in his native Italy and the now 38-year-old didn't have his first big fight until 2014 when he lost his shot at a European title to Billy Joe Saunders. His other notable fight came a year later against Michel Soro, which resulted in another loss.
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| Blandamura making Billy Joe Saunders miss |
It is hard to believe that Blandamura is getting a title shot since he doesn't have any wins over a truly notable opponent. His awkward style and nervous energy could give Murata some problems early but as an Olympic gold medalist, Murata has seen it all. Bladamura doesn't have much punching power and and his chin isn't great so the heavy hitting Murata should have a fairly easy time in his first title defense.
PREDICTION: Ryota Murata won't have many problems against Emanuele Felice Blandamura. Blandamura just doesn't have the same level of skills as Murata and that should be clear from the start. The fight will last more than a few rounds but Murata will knock Blandamura out in the sixth round.
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