Pass The Sapporo: Japan’s Otake Planning To KO Quigg

Hidenori Otake will be the toast of Japan if he takes WBA Super Bantamweight title off Scott Quigg after his sponsors vowed to name a beer after him if he returns with the belt from the sold out Echo Arena in Liverpool on November 15, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The Japanese champion Otake travels to the UK on the back of four successful defences of the title he won back in August 2012 and is part of the emerging force of Japanese boxing and is aiming to join Takashi Muira, Shinsuke Yamanaka and Tomoki Kameda as World champions from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Otake was quick to praise Quigg’s all-round ability, the challenger said he will not leave it to the judges in Merseyside.

“I’m not content with just being the challenger, and I’m not going to England just for the memories – I’m ready to give everything to bring home the belt,” said Otake.

“Quigg looks like he is strong, and hits hard. He’s also good at controlling the distance – he has many good qualities but in boxing, you never know what will happen until you get in the ring. Since we’ll be in enemy territory, it will be tough to win on points. So I’m going for the knockout.”

Quigg’s clash with Otake is part of a huge night of action in Merseyside as Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew meet in a hotly anticipated rematch.

WBA Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell puts his strap on the line against Columbian Walberto Ramos in the second World title bout on the bill, while there’s action for three of Britain’s top Super Middleweights as James DeGale MBE faces Marco Antonio Periban, his bitter rival George Groves meets Denis Douglin and Callum Smith tackles Nikole Sjekloca in a WBC title eliminator. Heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua MBE defends his WBC International title against Michael Sprott in a British title eliminator and promoter Eddie Hearn is set to add more names to the bill soon.