Boxing
Keys to Victory: Where does Masamichi Yabuki have the edge over Rene Calixto?
Padley vs. Fiaz on DAZN subscription - Saturday
Masamichi Yabuki sure has a flair for the dramatic. His standout 2025 not only had him clinching the IBF flyweight world championship with a dramatic 12th-round TKO of Angel Ayala in March, but retaining the strap with a 12th-round KO of Felix Alvarado in December.
Now, the Japanese warrior puts his title on the line against a battle-tested Rene Calixto at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan on Saturday night.
The bout will serve as a co-feature to the Willibaldo Garcia Perez-Andrew Moloney headliner.
While Yabuki (19-4, 18 KOs) made sure to put exclamations on his 2025 victories, Calixto (24-1-1, 10 KOs) bounced back from a stinging split-decision loss to Willibaldo Garcia in their May rematch by knocking out Ruben Lezama Gonzalez in December.
Fury and Hall up the tempo
Relive DAZN FACE OFF here
Will Yabuki retain his title with some more fireworks? Or will Calixto become a world champion at his expense? DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both fighters heading into this world championship bout.
Masamichi Yabuki’s Keys to Victory
Establish the jab early
Masamichi Yabuki owns a sniper-like jab that he uses to pepper opponents and effectively keep them at bay on the outside, where he can then piece together more punches.
Rene Calixto is ripe for the picking with this jab from Yabuki, who would be aided in his title defense chances by asserting the stick early.
Time Calixto for a counter left hook
If Calixto gets even a tad bit careless with his pressure and forward fighting, Yabuki ought to look to time him with a counter left hook.
This shot wrapped around the guard could be just the eye candy judges need to see for Yabuki to sway their scorecards and keep himself in control of the distance.
Launch the uppercut
Yabuki should look to meet a head-down, bullish Calixto with a slicing uppercut through the guard.
This crunching weapon could prove to be a major difference maker if the IBF flyweight world champion can detonate and land it with consistency when Calixto’s pressure becomes burdensome.
Rene Calixto’s Keys to Victory
Target the body
I could see Masamichi Yabuki sniping away behind the jab quite well in this matchup.
One way to break that zone and momentum is for Rene Calixto to get inside of the stick with body work. Steady deposits to the body could work wonders in lowering Yabuki’s arms just enough for Calixto to bang away upstairs and continue to close the distance.
Pressure, smother Yabuki
In connection with getting inside of Yabuki’s jab, Calixto must show a commitment to generating nonstop pressure. This means walking Yabuki down even if he has to eat a jab to get inside and then staying in the pocket and overwhelming the Japanese fighter with smothering punching pressure cranked up to high volumes.
Do not abandon guard
Calixto can be caught lacking, abandoning his guard at times. This would mark a dangerous threat to his title chances as the champion Yabuki is too skilled of a sharpshooter to let an opportunity like that pass by. Yabuki will make Calixto dearly pay for any such lax of the guard like this.
Therefore, Calixto must show consistent discipline behind a tight guard over the course of the bout.
Analysis: Who has the edge in Yabuki vs. Calixto?
DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
Yabuki is installed as a heavy favorite by some oddsmakers, but I see this bout being closer than advertised. Calixto is a gritty, rugged fighter who can take anyone in this division the distance — including Yabuki. That said, I believe Yabuki is a bit too sharp working behind the jab and will point — and possibly stop — his way to victory.
Watch Fury vs. Hall exclusively on DAZN
'The Beauty' Tommy Fury fights the 'The Beast' Eddie Hall on a great Misfits fight night on Saturday, June 13, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27), Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
