The K-1 Group has announced the inaugural K-1 bantamweight champion tournament, which will take place at the Ota City General Gymnasium on Sunday, May 23. The tournament is a result of the addition of the bantamweight division in K-1 for the first time since the promotion held the first 53-kilogram championship tournament in Krush in 2016. The inaugural Krush bantamweight title was held by Yoshiki Takei, who has since left the promotion to pursue a career in professional boxing.
The current Krush bantamweight champion, Kazuki Miburo, brings his undefeated record to the big stage. He earned the title at Krush 123 against top prospect Begin Yoshioka, who holds wins over three of the tournament participants and former Krush champ Koki. The nature of Miburo’s victory could be questioned due to the restrictions inflicted upon Yoshioka for missing weight, but the 19-year-old prospect looks to be one of the favorites in the tournament field. He meets 2020 K-1 Koshien 55-kilogram winner A