## FUKUSHIMA KEEPS JAPANESE SUPER-BANTAM TITLE ON 8TH ROUND TKO OVER HORIE

May 6, 2000
TOKYO, JAPAN-Tricky but aggressive MANABU FUKUSHIMA(The right boxer), 121 3/4, registered his first defense of his national super-bantam title when he chalked up a TKO win over durable and game KOICHI HORIE, 121 1/2, at 0:35 of the 9th session at the Korakuen Hall.

Fukushima, hanging his hands low, released solid punches to the taller opponent from all angles. Horie, from Kyushu, had entered the Japanese top ten thanks to his upset technical decision over Fusaaki Takenaga in Apr. of the previous year here in Tokyo.

Horie, from Kyushu, had the champ bewildered with his furious retaliation in the second, which was the first and last session that he could dominate. Fukushima, the OPBF top contender, had the upper hand from the third round on, landing wicked uppercuts that repeatedly bounced the head off.

The 8th saw Fukushima connect with a well-timed left hook, which sent him sprawling to the deck. The champ attempted to finish the affair but the bell came to his rescue.

Fukushima, in the 9th, smoked and swarmed over the fading foe with the referee Masakazu Uchida wisely declaring a halt.

Fukushima, a tricky Naseem Hamed stylist (though he is a right-handed boxer-puncher), raised his mark to 18-2-1, 13 KOs. Horie, three years his junior at 22, dropped to 13-4, 6 KOs.

Fukushima scored 16 wins in his last 17 bouts, including a draw, and is scheduled to defend his national diadem against ex-Japanese bantam champ and formerly word-rated ex-Olympian Setsuo Segawa on July 15. There is also a plan that the Japanese kingpin Fukushima may meet the OPBF ruler in the same category Shin Yamato in a non-title go this fall. This tricky and hard-hitting 122-pounder may be worth watching.

### UNDERCARDS

Upcoming TAKESHI WADA, 122, Japan's #7 ranked super-bantam, kept battering Thailand's KALONG SISHKANBHAI, 121 3/4, and finally stopped him at 2:22 of the 7th round. Wada, formerly the winner of the Novice King tourney, is 11-1, 10 KOs. The Thai loser reportedly fell to 6-4, 2 KOs.

Promoter: JB Sports Promotions.
(5-6-00)

## SUGAMA OUTSCORES THAI CHAMP WICHIT

May 7, 2000
AMAGASAKI, JAPAN-Upcoming KENICHI SUGAMA(The left boxer), 125, showed his superior power punching in pounding out a nearly shutout decision over Thai super-bantam champ WICHIT CHUWATANA, 126, over 10.

Sugama, Japan's #4 ranked feather, attempted to finish the tough southpaw, who displayed his tremendous durability despite his absorption of continual punishment. The victor raised his mark to 17-1, 14 KOs. The Thai champ reportedly fell to 19-8, 8 KOs.

Scored: 99-93, 100-91 and 100-92.

Promoter: Amagasaki Promotions.
(5-7-00)

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