## NAGO LOOKS LESS IMPRESSIVE IN COMEBACK FIGHT

March 3, 2000
TOKYO, JAPAN-Having failed to win the WBA 115-pound title via a unanimous nod to compatriot and defending champ Hideki Todaka last Nov., once-beaten WBA #8 ranked lefty AKIHIKO NAGO(right photo), 117, looked less impressive in his comeback bout, though he won a shutout decision over negative Filipino FELIX MARFA, 114, over 10.

Nago, managed by ex-WBA junior fly champ Yoko Gushiken, was expected to explode his ballyhooed power-punch and finish his rival, but he failed to catch the puzzling opponent. Scored: 100-92, 100-94 and 100-93.

Felix Marfa was the guy who had beaten Vernie Torres and went the distance with ex-WBA super-fly champ Yokthai Sith-oar, and was just content to avoid his KO defeat by covering him up and moving on defensively.

Nago is 16-1, 11 KOs. Marfa is 21-20-5, 9 KOs.

### UNDERCARD:

JBC #9 ranked feather HIROYUKI KUSAKA, 128, fought to a technical draw with SHINOBU HIRATO, 128, at 2:11 of the 6th in a scheduled 8. Scored: 50-48 for Kusaka, 49-47 for Hirato, and 48-48.

Promoter: Shirai & Gushiken Sports Promotion.
(3-3-00)

## UNBEATEN NAKA SHINES IN ACQUIRING VACANT JAPANESE BANTAM TITLE

March 4, 2000 TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten NOBUAKI NAKA(right photo), 118, stunned the crowd with his quick stoppage of EIICHI ODAKA(left photo), 118, at 2:35 of the second round to acquire the vacant Japanese bantam title.

Naka, a stylish boxer, caught the onrushing opponent with a very sharp left hook and sent him to the deck in the fatal session. Though Japan's top ranked Odaka barely regained his feet, he was obviously unfit to go on as he was about to absorb more punishment. Referee Kazunobu Asao intervened to save the loser.

It's a very spectacular stoppage, which raised Naka's unblemished mark to 11-0, including 10 straight KO wins. He won a decision in his pro debut, and iced all 10 victims thereafter. Naka gained the All Japan Novice King tourney (competed by all 4-round boxers) to be rated No. 10 by the JBC, and then kept winning to move up to No.2. This national title was vacated by Toshiaki Nishioka, a lefty hard-puncher rated highly by the WBA and the WBC.

Odaka fell to 23-4, 14 KOs. He might not expect Naka's punching power to be so electrifying as to make himself badly stunned. This boxer may zoom up to become a star if properly coached and cultivated.

### UNDERCARD:

Ex-amateur lefty MAKOTO MIYAGI, 106, had a tough time catching fleet-footed Thailander CHAINARONG EMINENT, 106, but earned a shutout but less impressive decision over 8.

The soft-punching Miyagi, from Okinawa, is 7-0, 2 KOs. The Thai loser dropped to 5-4, 1 KO.

Promoter: Yamani Enterprises.
(3-4-00)

## ISHII DEMOLISHES MEXICAN FOE IN ONE

March 12, 2000
NAGOYA, JAPAN-On the same day that the WBA lightweight title bout took place in Tokyo, WBA #15 ranked super-bantam KOZO ISHII(right photo), 123 1/4, appeared for the first time since his unsuccessful bid for the WBA throne against Nestor Garza via a 12th round TKO last Nov. and demolished Mexican JORGE MURUA, 123, at 3:02 of the opening session.

Ishii's devastating left hook was a haymaker, which raised his mark to 22-2, 15 KOs.

Filipino Arman Pedimonte was originally scheduled to fight Ishii, but he failed to take the visa in time, so the Mexican substitute fought the upcoming hard-hitting prospect. Ishii proved too much for the mediocre Mexican.

### UNDERCARD:

Japan's #8 ranked bantam RYO WATANABE, 117, was held to a technical draw by Filipino JIMMY ESPANOLA, 115 3/4, at 2:39 of the 5th round in a semi-final 10. Watanabe is 11-7-8, 1 KO.

HIROSHI WATANABE, 146 1/4, decked a well-received TKO win over Filipino JAMES ANDISO, 144 1/2, at 2:57 of the 7th round in a scheduled 8. Watanabe bettered his mark to 8-2-1, 5 KOs.

Promoter: Tenyu Maruki Promotions.
Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
(3-12-00)

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