Shoot Boxing rivals “V.V” Mei Yamaguchi and Lorena “Lady Pitbull” Klijn are set to face off for a second time on June 23rd at Shoot Boxing 2013: Act.3 in Tokyo, Japan. Yamaguchi narrowly defeated Klijn when the fighters first met in the semi-finals of the 2012 Shoot Boxing Girls S-Cup tournament.
The rematch was officially announced today and both women expressed an interest in challenging three-time Girls S-Cup champion Rena Kubota in the future. Yamaguchi dropped a close decision to Kubota in the finals of the 2012 tournament. Klijn is coming off of a win over Miyo Yoshida in April.
Yamaguchi (7-4-0 SB) made her shoot boxing debut in the inaugural Girls S-Cup tournament in 2009 and surprised many by advancing to the final round before losing to Kubota via Unanimous Decision. She rebounded with two victories in non-tournament bouts and entered the 2010 Girls S-Cup, but was unable to make it past the semi-final round. In 2011, she was upset by kickboxing veteran Mina in the opening round. This past year, Yamaguchi had a much more successful run in the eight-woman Girls S-Cup. She defeated teen prospect Namtarn “Supernova Girl” Por Munagpetch and Klijn in succession, but came up just short in her championship rematch with Kubota.
Klijn (2-1-0 SB) made an immediate impact when she debuted against 2011 champion Erika Kamimura in the quarterfinal round of the 2012 Girls S-Cup. Klijn and Kamimura battled back and forth during the first three rounds and the close fight was ruled a Draw. In an extension round, Klijn secured a hip toss throw to earn a Shoot Point and that proved to be enough to earn her a Unanimous Decision win over the heavily favoured Kamimura. Klijn’s semi-final fight against Yamaguchi also went to an extension round, but Yamaguchi dominated the action with throws to take the win. Klijn returned to action at Shoot Boxing 2013: Act 2 on April 20th and outstruck Yoshida en route to a Unanimous Decision win.
Shoot Boxing 2013: Act.3 takes place on June 23rd at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
(Photo Credit: Shoot Boxing)