In a weight division where American fighters are often forgotten about, if not dismissed outright, Anthony Olascuaga has found a way to thrive.
His career-long affiliation with Teiken Promotions has allowed Olascuaga to remain the most active major titlist among male U.S. fighters. The reigning WBO 112lbs title claimant is set for his fourth overall defense and third in 2025 as he faces Taku Kuwahara. Their scheduled 12-round contest is part of a U-Next title fight tripleheader this Wednesday from Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
“I love being this active,” Olascuaga told BoxingScene. “This schedule keeps you in the gym, keeps you sharp and keeps you motivated. You want to be able to stay in the ring and have something to look forward to.
“You have that incentive to stay ready at all times.”
The opportunity is just three months removed from his most recent outing, when he was afforded a doubly rare occurrence – a fight in the U.S. and as the main event. The 26-year-old Los Angeles native had not fought stateside since October 2022 – just five bouts into his career – prior to his September 11 early knockout win over Juan Carlos Camacho in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Wedged in between were five straight fights in Tokyo – again, the benefit of having Teiken as a co-promoter (along with All Star Boxing, Inc.). Olascuaga, 10-1 (7 KOs), won his WBO belt on the road and twice defended in Tokyo against former major titleholders before he returned home for his latest outing.
The DAZN-aired headliner kicked off a blockbuster fight week, topped by Terence Crawford’s September 13 win over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to claim the undisputed 168lbs championship.
“Coming into the fight, it was a dream come true,” admitted Olascuaga. “Being the main event not just in the U.S. but in Vegas, I just wanted to deliver. There were a few guys on the show who I came up with in the amateurs. My family was at one of my fights for the first time. It was surreal.
“One thing was new to me: There was no press conference for my fight. It was cool; it just meant I didn’t have to worry about any interviews that week. I don’t have anything against it, but it was cool to just relax, plus I talked to my favorite reporter for that fight (laughs).”
It’s now back to business as usual for Olascuaga – fighting often, and overseas.
Original plans called for Olascuaga to face Tokyo’s Jukiya Iimura as part of the card topped by the Seiya Tsutsumi-Nonito Donaire WBA 118lbs title consolidation clash. Olascuaga’s fight was not announced at the time of the initial launch press conference, however, because Iimura withdrew the night before.
Teiken quickly secured the services of Kuwahara, 14-2 (9 KOs), though Olascuaga was only concentrated on when – and not whom – he was fighting next.
“I was just getting prepared to fight. The opponent didn’t matter to me,” insisted Olascuaga. “In the amateurs, you entered tournaments and waited to find out who you were fighting. I had an idea of who the opponent would be at the time, but we didn’t center our training camp around it because it was never for certain. Nothing ever is until we’re both in the ring.
“Besides, who I fight doesn’t matter because I already have the best possible training partner any fighter can ask for.”
That “best possible training partner” would be unbeaten three-division champ Junto Nakatani. Both train under the watchful eye of the highly respected Rudy Hernandez in the Little Tokyo section of L.A.
Nakatani and Olascuaga were frequently paired together on shows in Tokyo, though oddly that was not the case at all in 2025. However, their year ends in sync.
Nakatani, 31-0 (24 KOs), is set to make his 122lbs debut versus Mexico’s Sebastian Hernandez on December 27 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – just 10 days after Olascuaga’s clash.
“The timing for this fight couldn’t have been better,” said Olascuaga. “Junto and I are both fighting in December, just [10] days apart. We both have incentives to win big – and it’s even better when you get to do this alongside friends.”
Nakatani’s bout takes place on the same show that houses undisputed 122lbs champion Naoya Inoue in a defense against Alan David Picasso. Wins by both are expected to lead to a blockbuster showdown in May at the Tokyo Dome in easily the biggest all-Japanese clash ever.
Olascuaga hopes to add to his gym’s good fortunes, first with a win and then with a major fight of his own – at least for the flyweight division. Firmly in his sights is WBA/WBC titlist Ricardo Sandoval, who has been granted a voluntary title defense for his next fight.
“I don’t know if he will choose me for his voluntary. I really can’t tell you where his mind is at,” said Olascuaga. “Obviously speaking for myself, I really hope we fight next. I’m sure he’ll be looking at my fight. Hopefully, I don’t scare him off and we can make this fight happen.
“I’m sure he wants to further unify this division, so come on and try to get this belt. You don’t hear very often about flyweights pursuing undisputed. I really think me and Ricardo Sandoval would be a huge fight for the division, and for L.A. if we can have it out here.”
If not, then Olascuaga plans to do what he and his team already do best.
“First thing’s first, and that’s getting [Kuwahara] up out of here,” said Olascuaga. “After that – if Sandoval don’t want this right away, then it’s on to the next one. I have a lot of positive momentum going and I’m not gonna let any one person take that away from me.”
