WBC Silver Atomweight Belt: Castle vs Hazuki
August 31, 2023 will see East vs West in an electrifying 10-round fight for the WBC Silver Belt.
The UK’s experienced fighter Denise Castle (3-3, 3KO) will face off against Sana Hazuki (9-8-1, 3KO) from Fukuoka, Japan, in the Thai Capital of Bangkok, which has been home to a number of WBC Title matches recently.
The 38-year-old Hazuki is a former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Champion. Castle has won all three of her bouts in Thailand, the last one in October 2019, where she claimed the vacant WIBA World minimumweight title.
Fighting for the WBC Silver Belt in Atomweight at 46.2kg, produces a real electric matchup in the making with both boxers known for their relentless endurance and both favouring an aggressive attacking style.
Castle has not fought since March 2022, where she lost to a razor thin split decision in the fight of the Night at the Habtor Grand Hotel in Dubai, whereas Hazuki is coming off a stoppage win in April 2023 where she halted Thai opponent Watcharaporn Namphon in the third round of a scheduled eight in her home city.
The time off away from the ring does not concern Castle, who has fought at World Title Level since 2014, “Being Atomweight has meant that all my opponents are foreign based and without a UK Promoter I am used to fighting abroad with time between bouts”.
Castle is known for her stamina and ringcraft after going toe to toe with Bytqi for the WBC World Atomweight Title after four years out and giving birth yet producing the 2018 female fight of the year as voted by Women of Boxing.
“I don’t get “warm up” fights,” stated Castle. “When I get in the ring – I get in to fight, life doesn’t give you warm ups!”
Sana Hazuki, who enters the ring with 18 fights, 9 wins with 3 by KO, would seem the favourite on paper compared to Castle – however Castle is also a formidable Muaythai Fighter who was known over in Asia for her crushing victories in the ring where she collected the WBC and S1 World Muaythai Titles before transitioning to boxing.
Hazuki, is training in Okinawa for this match to get used to the heat of Thailand. Okinawa was made famous in the Karate Kid film trilogy as the birth island of Mr Miyagi and the home of Miyagi Karate so the area is known for its strong fighting history.
With the resurrection of the 80’s action films in the Netflix Hit Cobra Kai – this will be a truly Historic battle – being the first time a British Female has fought a Japanese Champion of the female WBC Title.
“I will need stamina for this battle,” predicted Hazuki, who has done her homework on Castle and is very respectful of the champion she faces
“She has a very strong heart. I have a lot of respect for her as a woman, a mother and a fighter and I am proud to be in stage with her”, this was a humble comment for Castle to receive who replied, “After my last match – I am eager to fight an opponent who is there to box and fight with respect – so that whatever the result – we produce a historic and memorable fight for the fans – But make no mistake – I am coming to win and this time I will not leave it to the judges”.
Castle has challenged, unsuccessfully, for the WBC World atomweight title twice, and the WBC Silver atomweight title in her last fight, so the hunger to finally win the belt will be high.
Article sponsored by HÖRFA