## EX-OLYMPIAN SEGAWA UPSETS JBC #3 BANTAM NAKAZATO

January 17, 2000
TOKYO, JAPAN-In a grueling fight, ex-Olympian and ex-national champ SETSUO SEGAWA(right photo) (previously fighting under a nom-de-guerre Setsuo Kawamasu), 121 1/4, displayed a fine performance and pounded out an upset majority decision over hard-hitting prospect SHIGERU NAKAZATO(left photo), JBC #3 ranked bantie, 119 1/4, over 10.

Scored: Fukuchi and Uratani 96-94 and 97-95, both for Segawa, and Tezaki 97-97.

This important triumph will have the currently unranked Segawa ranked highly in the JBC's ratings. Segawa, previously world rated, bettered his mark to 13-2, 6 KOs. Nakazato, who had failed to win the Japanese national bantam belt via TKO route by Toshiaki Nishioka last Apr., was well known for his devastating power, but failed to catch the elusive and more skillful opponent.

Despite a spare crowd at the Hall, it was definitely "Fight of the Month." They exchanged strong punches each other to have the crowd on its feet. Nakazato made a good start with his solid shots, but Segawa solved his rival's methodical way of fighting and began to penetrate his loose guard with effective jabs and left-right combos.

Segawa previously tended to be fading in later rounds due to his notorious lack of good stamina, but he managed to fight well until the 9th. Nakazato, in the 10th, desperately tried to turn the tide with big shots, stalking him from pillar to post to win this round and wasn't enough to finish the fading foe.

Segawa, a representative in the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988, was an excellent boxer with a good record of 130-16, 75 stoppages. Great Kanayama (AKA Dongchun Lee), from whom Segawa captured the national 118-lbs. title on a highly controversial decision, passed away because of a ring tragedy some days after Segawa beat him again on points in their grudge fight in 1995. It certainly hurt him mentally and spiritually.

Furthermore, Segawa was obliged to renounce his Japanese national title after 6 successful defenses due to his whiplash neck injury caused in an auto accident and was inactive for years since his last and 6th defense against Minoru Orita in Sept., 1966. People thought he was through.

Segawa, however, made a comeback and beat Masatomi Suzuki on points in 6 rounds on Jul. 26, 1999, but dropped an upset 6-round verdict to Hiroshi Mizushima on Aug. 30. He was regarded as a shot fighter, but he displayed a remarkable return to the ring warfare in his third comebacking bout.

### UNDERCARDS:

JBC #6 ranked welter YOSHIO NAKANO, 147, looked losing in the process, but fought back furiously to stop MITSUO KAWAKAMI, 145 1/2, at 0:49 of the 8th and final session.

Nakano, a later starter as usual, absorbed a considerable punishment but eventually emerged as a TKO victor, raising his ledger to 14-4-4, 3 KOs. Kawakami, previously rated by the JBC, fell to 6-4-2, 3 KOs.

Powerful lefty YUKIHARU SHINYASHIKI, 155 3/4, floored a muscular BULL OKABE, 156 3/4, with a southpaw sweeping left, and earned a close but unanimous decision (58-56, 59-57 and 57-56) in a see-saw 6. The winner is 7-4, 4 KOs. The loser dipped to 5-3-1, 5 KOs.

Promoter: Kyoei Promotions.
(1-17-00)

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