Gejon makes ring return in Japan tonight

Two-time world challenger Eriberto “Yukka” Gejon, Jr. returns to the fight arena after four months of activity as he takes on Japanese flyweight prospect Yuji Kanemitsu in a non-title bout scheduled for 10 rounds today at the IMP Hall in Osaka, Japan.

This marks Gejon’s first ring appearance since his embarrassing first round knockout loss to Nicaraguan Roman Gonzalez on November 3 last year at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

Prior to that, Gejon challenged for the second time Yutaka Niida for the WBA minimumweight title but bowed to the Japanese champion by unanimous decision over 12 rounds on September 1, 2007. In his first attempt at the WBA throne, the Mandaue City fighter lost controversial technical decision in round 10 to Niida.

After his stunning defeat to Gonzalez, Gejon is determined to redeem lost pride and glamour by training hard at the fabled ALA Boxing Gym. He also found a new strength to carry on as boxing patron and Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim is now part of his management team.

Gejon, a former amateur standout, holds an impressive 23-3-1 win-loss-draw record spiked with 14KOs. However, the lanky 28-year-old warrior is on a slump, dropping three of his last five fights.

Kanemitsu, who has not fought outside Osaka and faces a Filipino foe for the first time in his five-year pro career, sports a 10-1 slate dotted with 6KOs.—EBV