Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto and Daisuke Naito

In a effort by FEG to finally get some decent ratings for their struggling “DREAM” promotion, they have teamed up with local boxing superstar, WBC Flyweight Champ Daisuke Naito. Naito’s upcoming title defence, will be aired together with DREAM so ratings should flow over from one into the other, giving the struggling promotion some huge numbers. To promote the coalition, DREAM poster boy KID Yamamoto and Naito held an open training session together. This was easily one of the toughest shoots I’ve ever done.

The amount of media here was ridiculous and it was the tiny Miyata Gym - where Naito trains. I managed to get a good position next to the ring but I couldn’t move my body at all to work for any better angles and I had a video camera resting on my head for a great deal of the time. The gym was really poorly lit so flash was a must to have any hope at stopping the action. Unfortunately, this was the same for every other photographer there so for every punch or kick thrown, about 30 other flashes went off - totally blowing everyone’s exposure and limiting my shot selection greatly. As if all of this wasn’t difficult enough it was 45 degrees in there as Naito had the heater on so he could cut weight! It’s no surprise that I was bedridden for 3 days after this.

Yamamoto barely sweating after going full pace for two 10 minute rounds.

Although this image is slightly backfocused, it serves as a perfect illustration for the flash problem. This was a tame example - others are just completely white.

Pad work

Although he hasn't been in the public spotlight for a while because of his "knee injury", he clearly hasn't changed.

After one ten minute round. Barely has a sheen.

Looking for somewhere to buy some melon but still remaining badass.

Melon get! This was a weird moment. The rest of the photographers found him eating and thought it was interesting too so there was around 30 photogs all shooting him eating a melon.

The media circus around Naito. Hey, I guess I'm one of them though...

Shadow boxing in 45 degree heat to warm up.

Working some pads, this was just as hard as the KID set to shoot. Lucky to get a clean shot like this.

Photo opportunities were more like this. Trying to catch a punch was largely futile with all the flashes going off at once.

Answering questions from the press.

KID wanted to have a spar with Naito but he wasn't having any of it. Naito wasn't really training that hard at all, just providing photo ops. Kid really worked it though and was very impressive. His kicks especially were great. Naito's left uppercut is what impressed Kid the most.

Lots more of this kind of thing at Sherdog.